Grand corruption

Grand corruption is defined as corruption occurring at the highest levels of government in a way
that requires significant subversion of the political, legal and economic systems. Such corruption is
commonly found in countries with authoritarian or dictatorial governments but also in those without
adequate policing of corruption.

The government system in many countries is divided into the legislative, executive and judicial
branches in an attempt to provide independent services that are less subject to grand corruption due
to their independence from one another.

Systemic corruption
Systemic corruption (or endemic corruption) is corruption which is primarily due to the
weaknesses of an organization or process. It can be contrasted with individual officials or agents
who act corruptly within the system.
Factors which encourage systemic corruption include conflicting incentives, discretionary powers;
monopolistic powers; lack of transparency; low pay; and a culture of impunity. Specific acts of
corruption include "bribery, extortion, and embezzlement" in a system where "corruption becomes
the rule rather than the exception." Scholars distinguish between centralized and decentralized
systemic corruption, depending on which level of state or government corruption takes place; in
countries such as the Post-Soviet states both types occur. Some scholars argue that there is a
[clarification needed]
negative duty of western governments to protect against systematic corruption of
underdeveloped governments.
Corruption has been a major issue in China, where society depends heavily on personal
relationships. By the late 20th century that combined with the new lust for wealth, produced
escalating corruption. Historian Keith Schoppa says that bribery was only one of the tools of Chinese
corruption, which also included, "embezzlement, nepotism, smuggling, extortion, cronyism,
kickbacks, deception, fraud, squandering of public money, illegal business transactions, stock
manipulation and real estate fraud." Given the repeated anti-corruption campaigns it was a prudent
precaution to move as much of the fraudulent money as possible overseas.
As a Post-Soviet Union country - Armenia is also facing corruption-related issues. This has been
transferred to Armenia as well as other Soviet Union Member Republics as a heritage. Armenia was
a pleasant exception. After the Armenian Velvet Revolution in 2018 new government made the fight
against corruption an official top priority. 'Anti-corruption Strategy' seemed to give results as it
upgraded from 105th place in CPI score to 60th in just two years.
In Latin American countries, corruption is permitted as a result of the cultural norms of the institution.
In countries like the United States, there is a relatively strong sense of trust among strangers, one
that is not found in Latin American countries. In Latin American countries, this trust does not exist,
whereas the social norms imply that no stranger is responsible for the wellbeing or happiness of
another stranger. Instead, the trust is found in acquaintances. Acquaintances are treated with trust
and respect—a level of trust that is not found among acquaintances in countries like the United
States. This is what permits for corruption in Latin American countries. If there is a strong enough
trust within an administration that no one will betray the rest, corruptive policies will take place with
ease. In the United States, this could not occur, as there is not a strong enough trust among the
members of an administration to allow for corruption. In Latin American countries, there is a stronger
value in individuality, which includes that of acquaintances, unlike in countries like the United States,
which fails to include acquaintances.