The Logic of Political Corruption

Abstract

"Despite the ubiquity of corruption and bribery in all political systems, at all times, and under whatever historical conditions, political analysts inevitably see such activity as exceptional. Such a view of political corruption has reference implicitly to some condition of political health--an ideal condition in which no misdirection of public authority occurs in response to individual inducements. There is, however, no human society in which such ideal conditions are to be found. And notwithstanding American inclinations to equate political corruption with the politics of so-called underdeveloped nations, it is not clear that the grease which lubricates the political machinery of Chicago, New York, or Anytown, U.S.A. is less abundant than in Mexico or the Philippines, the supposed epitome of institutionalized corruption."