One of the distinctions Aristotle makes between types of government is between those that serve the interests of the overall community, and those that serve the interests only of those who hold power at the expense of the overall community.
He calls the latter corrupt.
Definitions:
- Wikipedia:
. . . a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense which is undertaken by a person or an organization which is entrusted in 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, influence peddling and the embezzlement and it may also involve practices which are legal in many countries. Political corruption occurs when an office-holder or other governmental employee acts with an official capacity for personal gain. Corruption is most common in kleptocracies, oligarchies, narco-states, and mafia states.
- Investopedia:
. . . dishonest behavior by those in positions of power. Those who abuse their power may be individuals or they may belong to organizations, such as businesses or governments. Corruption can entail a variety of actions, including giving or accepting bribes or inappropriate gifts, double-dealing, and defrauding investors. Corrupt behavior is often the result of government intervention in the economy but it can be prevented with certain checks and balances. One example of corruption in the world of finance would be an investment manager who is actually running a Ponzi scheme.
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime:
Corruption is a complex social, political and economic phenomenon that affects all countries. Corruption undermines democratic institutions, slows economic development and contributes to governmental instability. Corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law and creating bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for existing is the soliciting of bribes. Economic development is stunted because foreign direct investment is discouraged and small businesses within the country often find it impossible to overcome the "start-up costs" required because of corruption.
- The Economist:
Corruption is deceitful behavior that people in positions of power exhibit for personal gain. It is most commonly seen amongst government officials or managers. There are different forms of corruption, including bribery, embezzlement, extortion, networking, under-the-table transactions, manipulation of the election result, money laundering, and more.
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Here are the types mentioned above. There are certainly more.
- bribery.
- fraud.
- double dealing.
- embezzlement.
- extortion.
- gifts.
- influence peddling.
- networking.
- under-the-table transactions.
- manipulation of the election result.
- money laundering.
- Ponzi Schemes.
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U.S. Code: TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.
DOJ: Public Integrity Section.
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For more:
- A history of corruption in the United States.
