Public power used for private gain is corruption. It includes bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and the sale of influence. The common element is the betrayal of a public trust for personal or factional advantage.

Corruption distorts policy, raises the cost of public services, and erodes confidence in institutions. It can be petty—small bribes for routine services—or grand—large-scale diversion of state resources. Weak oversight, low transparency, and concentrated discretion create opportunities. Independent prosecutors, free media, asset declarations, and competitive procurement reduce them.

Measuring corruption is difficult because it is hidden, yet perception indices and audit findings provide comparative signals. Anti-corruption campaigns sometimes serve political purposes as well as genuine reform. Sustainable reduction requires both enforcement and changes in the incentives that make corruption attractive or low-risk.

A single high-profile scandal can crystallize public anger that has built for years.