Defining Corruption

Abstract

Various interpretations of corruption exist around the world (Rose-Ackerman, 1996; Iyer and Samociuk, 2006). This has led to a consistent understanding that there is no agreement on a conclusive definition of the term. In this chapter the problems encountered when trying to forge a consistent and unambiguous meaning of corruption will be discussed, examining the concerns with a number of past attempts from various disciplines such as law, economics, social and political science, as well as those of bureaucratic foundations. Types and forms of corruption will also be covered in order to provide an awareness of the breadth of its manifestation. The chapter will further demonstrate that many factors, including environmental ones, converge to undermine attempts to provide a definitive version of corruption, particularly when studying the issue from a global perspective. It will be noted that, as a result of the identified obstacles rooted deeply in the pathway of clarification, not only does providing an unequivocal definition of corruption remain elusive but it also provides challenges for law and policy makers, and law enforcement organisations, among others. Corruption should therefore be viewed as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, with a multiplicity of causes and effects, as it exhibits many different forms and functions in very diverse contexts, ranging from a single act that transgresses a law or laws, to being a way of life for an individual, group of people, and/or societal order, which is morally acceptable.