Corruption is when either power or position is misused for personal profit, and can take place in both private and public sector. Examples of corruption include bribery, coercion, nepotism, bid-rigging and electoral fraud.
Additionally, corruption causes public funds – which could have been used to develop infrastructure such as roads, improve public institutions such as schools and hospitals, and improve the delivery of necessities such as light and water- to instead be used to increase the wealth of comparatively few people. Corruption increases poverty and reduces opportunities for job creation and investment. It may also cause a brain drain, where former contributors to a country’s economy may choose to leave due to their frustration and disillusionment.
Corruption destabilizes our society. It causes people to live in fear, undermines government and democracy, and impedes development and order. Corruption causes us to lose faith in our politicians, leading to a system that is neither transparent nor trustworthy.
