What Level of Government Corruption Experienced In Your Life Causes You The Most Individual Harm?

Submitted by Norm Roulet on Mon, 08/31/2009 - 09:43.
Corruption at my Neighborhood level, where Block Clubs and CDCs work against me rather than for me
16% (5 votes)
Corruption at my City level, where I expect to receive good local government services and do not
9% (3 votes)
Corruption at my County level, where large social issues must be addressed but are neglected
16% (5 votes)
Corruption at my Regional level, where planning for the future of my community begins, and is poor
0% (0 votes)
Corruption at my State level, where the culture of my place and identity are set, and are undesirable
3% (1 vote)
Corruption at my National level, where the greatest benefit and harm may result... results are poor
6% (2 votes)
All this corruption is equally harmful to me as an individual, and I find evidence of it all, at all levels in my life
50% (16 votes)
Total votes: 32
( categories: )

Word of the Day: kleptocracy, literally "rule by thieves"

Submitted by Norm Roulet on Mon, 08/31/2009 - 10:01.

Political corruption

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World map of the 2007 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, which measures "the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians". High numbers (green) indicate less perception of corruption, whereas lower numbers (red) indicate higher perception of corruption.

Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by private persons or corporations not directly involved with the government. An illegal act by an officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their official duties.

All forms of government are susceptible to political corruption. Forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft, and embezzlement. While corruption may facilitate criminal enterprise such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and trafficking, it is not restricted to these organized crime activities. In some nations, corruption is so common that it has gained normative status. The end point of political corruption is a kleptocracy, literally "rule by thieves".

The activities that constitute illegal corruption differ depending on the country or jurisdiction. Certain political funding practices that are legal in one place may be illegal in another. In some countries, government officials have broad or poorly defined powers, and the line between what is legal and illegal can be difficult to draw.

Bribery around the world is estimated at about $1 trillion (£494bn), and the burden of corruption falls disproportionately on the bottom billion people living in extreme poverty.[1]

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