Functional Corruption vs Corrosive Corruption

La Pia (with Dante & Virgil) by Gustave Doré

Corruption has several meanings; however, in this particular article, corruption will only mean: dishonesty and bribery.

Is corruption a moral crime? I used to categorically think so - especially after my frustrating personal experience in Africa - but today I am beginning to be more inclined to say "It depends". Every year, reports are issued to indicate which nation-member of the EU, of the OECD,  or of the WTO (for instance) is more corrupt or less transparent; but the most uncomfortable truth is that all countries are corrupt in some shape or form.

Corruption is ubiquitous. For example:

• Certain groups financially contribute to certain causes (that have a high social impact), in order to obtain political gains.
• Salafi  institutions (included in Saudi Arabia's Foreign Policy strategy, for instance) invest in strategic American industries (e.g. media), donate heavily to American universities (to have researchers and experts under their control) and make sure that the PR industry keeps hiring people - through millionaire PR contracts; to be able to guarantee that Saudi Arabia won't be devoured in the arena of public opinion and, that the Ummah's susceptibilities won't be hurt in the West.
• Certain Islamic Republics contribute to many European foundations, universities and other organisations; to make sure their proxies won't be banned or blacklisted as Terrorist Groups - for instance.
• Some politicians have been known for receiving incentives to make the wheel of the system turn in favour of certain organisations (that end up generating thousands of jobs, developing the borough and, thus, being a crucial element to the local economy).

When corruption is constructive (i.e. a win-win sort of situation; when it leads to the creation of jobs, of quality infrastructures; to investment in education, R&D and arts; to the development of local economies [thus, taking the burden off the government's budget] etc) it is called Functional Corruption; something that we, as a society, are usually more than willing to accept since the people benefit from it.

Functional corruption presents a dilemma though: by widely accepting it, we have no regard for the political consequences that stem from it - id est, falling prey to groups/nations with questionable agendas. Yet without it the wheel of establishment may get stuck.

When corruption is destructive (i.e. a win-lose sort of situation; when a small group gets rich at the expense of the people, in general, who will not have jobs; who will starve; whose infrastructure is either non-existent or of poor quality; who either get a brainwashing education or do not get any at all; who view R&D as a foreign frivolousness; who are brainwashed into considering art as a distraction, etc etc) it is called Corrosive Corruption; something that we are not so willing to accept because the people are humiliated and destroyed by it. This sort of corruption is undoubtedly a moral crime.

The examples of Corrosive Corruption are rife; but I would like to invite you to observe our society and look about for the subliminal effects of Functional Corruption...

"All institutions are prone to corruption and to the vices of their members." -- Morris West