This article deals with the commonplace use of the term corruption to mean dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power.
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Different Scales
2.1 Petty
2.2 Grand
2.3 Systemic
3 Different Sectors
3.1 Government/Public Sector
3.1.1 Legislative System (Political)
3.1.2 Executive System (Police)
3.1.3 Judiciary System
3.2 Corporate
3.3 Unions
3.4 Non-Government Organizations
4 Methods
4.1 Bribery
4.2 Embezzlement, theft and fraud
4.3 Extortion and blackmail
4.4 Abuse of discretion
4.5 Favouritism, nepotism and clientelism
4.6 Improper political contributions
4.7 Conduct creating or exploiting conflicting interests
5 Legality
6 Philosophy
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
Etymology[edit]
The word corrupt (Middle English, from Latin corruptus, past participle of corrumpere, to abuse or destroy : com-, intensive pref. and rumpere, to break) when used as an adjective literally means "utterly broken".[1]
Different Scales[edit]
Corruption can occur on many different scales. There is corruption that occurs as small favours between a small number of people (petty corruption), while there is the corruption that affects the government on a large scale (grand corruption), and corruption that is so prevalent that it is part of the every day structure of society (systemic corruption).
Petty[edit]
"Petty" corruption occurs at a smaller scale and occurs within established social frameworks and governing norms. Examples include the exchange of small improper gifts or use of personal connections to obtain favors. This form of corruption is particularly