Political corruption
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Political corruption is the use of governmental 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.
All forms of government are susceptible to political corruption. 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 trafficking, it is not restricted to these organized crime activities. In some nations, corruption is so common that it is expected when ordinary businesses or citizens interact with government officials. The end point of political corruption is a kleptocracy, literally "rule by thieves".
The activities that constitute illegal corruption differ depending on the country or jurisdiction. Certain political funding practices that are legal in one place may be illegal in another. In some countries, government officials have broad or poorly defined powers, and the line between what is legal and illegal can be difficult to draw.
In fiction
- The Financier (1912), The Titan (1914), and The Stoic (1947), Theodore Dreiser's Trilogy of Desire, based on the life of the transit mogul Charles Tyson Yerkes
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (Hollywood film 1939)
- Atlas Shrugged (1957 novel)
- The Government Inspector (1836 novel)
- Henry Adams' novel Democracy (1880)
- HBO's television series about Baltimore, The Wire
- Carl Hiaasen's novel Sick Puppy (1999)
- Much of the Batman comic book series
- V for Vendetta comic book series
- The Ghost in the Shell Anime films and series
- Animal Farm a novel by George Orwell
- Training Day (2001 film)
- Exit Wounds (2001 film)
- American Gangster (2007 film)
- Robert Penn Warren's novel All the King's Men (1946)
- Guru (2007 film) (Indian film)
- Katherine Boo's non-fiction book Behind the Beautiful Forevers (2012)
- Vandal Hearts A tactical based role playing game created by Konami is based around political corruption.
See also
- Baksheesh
- Comitology
- Conflict of interest
- Due diligence
- Government failure
- Malfeasance in office
- Political class
- Political machine
- Principal–agent problem
- policy laundering