What is meant by "corruption"?

The word “corruption” derives from the Latin verb “corrumpere” meaning “to ruin”, “to rot” or “to break into pieces”. “Corruption” therefore originally had a broad meaning, and was often used to refer to moral depravity, or to the breakdown or ruin of the moral values that enable society to function justly and efficiently. 

Nowadays, the term “corruption” is used more narrowly, but there is no single internationally recognised definition. Some people use the term to refer simply to bribery.  Others (including these GIACC Modules) use it as an umbrella term to refer to various types of deceptive activity which result in an improper gain, including bribery, extortion, fraud, cartels, abuse of power, embezzlement, and money laundering.

This Module focuses on the seven types of corrupt activity listed above, which are the types of corruption that you are most likely to encounter in your business (and possibly personal) activities.  It also examines gifts and hospitality, facilitation payments, and conflicts of interest, and considers when these may be treated as corrupt. 

These types of corruption are likely to be criminal offences in most countries.  They are described in this Module in generally recognised international terms so as to give you a broad understanding of the types of conduct that they involve.  However, the actual definition of these offences may vary from country to country depending on different countries’ laws.  So, the applicable law, and not this Module, should always be relied on in determining what you should do to avoid specific criminal offences in particular jurisdictions.