The Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index defines corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain, and measures the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among a country’s public officials and politicians.
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.
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 human trafficking, it is not restricted to these activities.
Here is the ranking of 10 Most Corrupt Nations in 2010 according to Transparency.org:
1 – Somalia
Corruption Score: 1.1
2 – Myanmar
Corruption Score: 1.4
3 – Afghanistan
Corruption Score: 1.4
4 – Iraq
Corruption Score: 1.5
5 – Uzbekistan
Corruption Score: 1.6
6 – Turkmenistan
Corruption Score: 1.6
7 – Sudan
Corruption Score: 1.6
8 – Chad
Corruption Score: 1.7
9 – Burundi
Corruption Score: 1.8
10 – Equatorial Guinea
Corruption Score: 1.9
Notable among decliners over the past year are some of the countries most affected by a financial crisis precipitated by transparency and integrity deficits. Among those improving in the past year, the general absence of OECD states underlines the fact that all nations need to bolster their good governance mechanisms.
The message is clear: across the globe, transparency and accountability are critical to restoring trust and turning back the tide of corruption. Without them, global policy solutions to many global crises are at risk.
- Reference/Source: transparency.org
- Reference/Source: Wikipedia.org
