SECTION 2

OVERVIEW OF CORRUPTION

                                                 

What is meant by “corruption” ?

“Corruption” has no common international definition.

 

Narrow definition:  It can be defined narrowly.  For example, it may be defined to mean “bribery” or “misuse of public office for private gain”.

 

Wide definition:  It can be defined more widely as an umbrella term covering a range of criminal offences including:

    • Bribery                                            
    • Extortion                                      
    • Facilitation payments                           
    • Fraud                                                           
    • Collusion                                             
    • Embezzlement                               
    • Abuse of power                            
    • Money-laundering
       

These offences are explained in more detail later.

This training module uses the wide definition of corruption.