Oscar De La Huerte answered
Corruption is when two (or more) people enter into a secret (and often illegal) agreement that will prove profitable to both parties at the expense of other people.
The causes of corruption are numerous, but in my opinion they are all linked to human weakness and greed.
What is corruption? We hear the word corruption very often these days: In newspapers, on TV, from government officials, from big companies, for campaigners.
The word corruption can be applied to any form of underhand or sly dealing that is usually carried out because it is beneficial to the people involved.
The word 'corrupt' implies behavior that is dishonest or unethical, and is generally linked with financial gain.
It can come in the form of bribery, preferential treatment, unbiased judgement - basically any act that is obviously wrong, but carried out nonetheless, in the name of money.
People in political power are often linked with corruption. This is because, with power comes greater responsibility - and sometimes this sense of responsibility can be compromised by the lure of a lucrative payday.
Although we are used to talking about corruption in terms of government agencies and politicians, the truth is that corruption could infiltrate any level of society.
What are the causes of corruption?
In my opinion, there are a number of different factors that influence corruption.
Often people resort to corrupt ways when they have no means of earning the same amount of money through legitimate means.
If you take countries like Italy for example (a nation known for endemic corruption), things like poor job prospects and a lack of upward social mobility certainly have an influence on the scale and prevalence of corruption.
Nevertheless, I firmly believe that we're all capable of making our own minds up - and corruption is essentially born out of greed and insincerity.
The causes of corruption are numerous, but in my opinion they are all linked to human weakness and greed.
What is corruption? We hear the word corruption very often these days: In newspapers, on TV, from government officials, from big companies, for campaigners.
The word corruption can be applied to any form of underhand or sly dealing that is usually carried out because it is beneficial to the people involved.
The word 'corrupt' implies behavior that is dishonest or unethical, and is generally linked with financial gain.
It can come in the form of bribery, preferential treatment, unbiased judgement - basically any act that is obviously wrong, but carried out nonetheless, in the name of money.
People in political power are often linked with corruption. This is because, with power comes greater responsibility - and sometimes this sense of responsibility can be compromised by the lure of a lucrative payday.
Although we are used to talking about corruption in terms of government agencies and politicians, the truth is that corruption could infiltrate any level of society.
What are the causes of corruption?
In my opinion, there are a number of different factors that influence corruption.
Often people resort to corrupt ways when they have no means of earning the same amount of money through legitimate means.
If you take countries like Italy for example (a nation known for endemic corruption), things like poor job prospects and a lack of upward social mobility certainly have an influence on the scale and prevalence of corruption.
Nevertheless, I firmly believe that we're all capable of making our own minds up - and corruption is essentially born out of greed and insincerity.