Running head: CORRUPTION: THE DATE 1

Name: Elizabeth Calloway

Title: Corruption: The Debate

School: Kaplan University

Corruption: The Debate 2

any have different views on corruption. As defined by Transparency International; corruption is

defined as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. (Transparency International, 2012)

Corruption does not just involve governments, or large corporate companies. This essay will

discuss public corruption as a cultural tradition, gift giving traditions, and my views on this

statement: “Corruption is a Western concept and is not applicable to traditional societies, where

corruption does not have such a negative meaning. Many traditional societies with a “gift

culture” have a different understanding of civil responsibilities and etiquette. The social structure

and political traditions of many countries are based on the beneficial exchange of rewards for

services rendered, and cannot survive in its absence.” (iDebate.Org)

everyone has their own views and opinion on corruption. I personally do not agree with this

statement fully. For one, corruption is not a western concept. It can happen throughout any

society. Within any country or society what it is done in the light or what is done under the table

can be very different depending on their views and traditions. Four things to examine are

accountability, transparency, reciprocity, and generalization. Those countries that use the

tradition of gift culture may not view corruption the same as one who does not follow that

tradition. I do agree with social structure and political traditions throughout other countries being

based on the beneficial exchange of rewards for services rendered. Also with the gift culture

having a major impact on what is considered corruption in different societies.

Gift giving in many traditional societies is not considered corruption for many reasons. The

transaction is not a secret, the scale is modest, and the benefits are exchange of rewards for

services rendered, and cannot survive in its absence. (iDebate.Org)