Abstract
Corruption is a form of dishonesty or criminal offense undertaken by a person or organization entrusted with a position of authority to acquire illicit benefit or abuse power for one's private gain. Corruption may include many activities including bribery and embezzlement, though it may also involve practices that are legal in many countries. Political corruption occurs when an officeholder or other governmental employee acts in an official capacity for personal gain. Corruption is most commonplace in kleptocracies, oligarchies, narco-states, and mafia states. Corruption can occur on different scales. Corruption ranges from small favors between a small number of people (petty corruption) to corruption that affects the government on a large scale (grand corruption) and corruption that is so prevalent that it is part of the everyday structure of society, including corruption as one of the symptoms of organized crime.
TopDefinition And Scope
Stephen D. Morris, professor of politics, wrote that political corruption is the illegal use of government power for personal profit (Morris, 1991). Economist Yang the Elder has defined corruption as an act of (a) secretly providing (b) a good or service to a third party (c) so that he or she can influence certain actions that (d) benefit a corrupt, third party. or both (e) in which the corrupt agent has power (Senior, 2006). World Bank economist Daniel Kaufmann has expanded the concept to include “legal corruption,” in which power is abused within the law, as those in power often can legislate to protect themselves. Corruption in infrastructure leads to increased construction costs and time, reduced quality, and reduced benefits (Locatelli, 2017).
Corruption can be of different dimensions. Corruption ranges from small services between a small number of people (petty corruption) (Elliott, 1997) to corruption that affects the government on a large scale (large corruption) and corruption that is so pervasive that it is part of the day-to-day structure. society, including corruption as one of the symptoms of organized crime.
Several indicators and tools have been developed to more accurately measure various forms of corruption (Hamilton, 2017).
Petty Corruption
Petty corruption occurs on a smaller scale and occurs at the end of public service delivery when public officials meet with the public. For example, in many small locations such as registration offices, police stations, government licensing commissions, and many other private and public sectors (Mishler, 2020).
Corruption may include many activities including bribery and embezzlement
Key Terms in this Chapter
Grand Corruption: Is defined as corruption occurring at the highest levels of government in a way that requires significant subversion of the political, legal, and economic systems. Such corruption is commonly found in countries with authoritarian or dictatorial governments but also in those without adequate policing of corruption. The government system in many countries is divided into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in an attempt to provide independent services that are less subject to grand corruption due to their independence from one another.
Petty Corruption: Occurs at a smaller scale and takes place at the implementation end of public services when public officials meet the public. For example, in many small places such as registration offices, police stations, state licensing boards, and many other private and government sectors.
Corruption: A form of dishonesty or a criminal offense which is undertaken by a person or an organization which is entrusted with a position of authority, in order to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's personal gain. Corruption may involve many activities which include bribery and embezzlement, and it may also involve practices which are legal in many countries.
Systemic Corruption (or Endemic Corruption): Is corruption which is primarily due to the weaknesses of an organization or process. It can be contrasted with individual officials or agents who act corruptly within the system.