A GOVERNMENT FREE OF CORRUPTION

 The Poison of Government Corruption

Government corruption has been defined as the abuse of political power for private gain.  Such abuse has a long history. For example, the Bible includes a law prohibiting bribery in judicial cases, showing that the practice was already well-known over 3,500 years ago. (Exodus 23:8) Of course, corruption involves more than just accepting bribes. Corrupt public officials sometimes appropriate goods, take advantage of services to which they are not entitle, or even steal funds outright.  They may also use their position to favor their friends and relatives unfairly. 

While corruption can exist in any human organization, it seems that corruption in government is the worst.  The 2013 Global Corruption Barometer, published by Transparency International, reported that people worldwide have the perception that the five most corrupt institutions are political parties, the police, public officials, the legislature, and judiciary.  Consider just some reports that highlight the problem. 

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