Fight against corruption

Corruption does not just mean the payment and acceptance of bribes, although that is the most common association with the word and notion of corruption. No, corruption is also when desirable job positions, such as those in governmental institutions, public companies and the like  are given to family members, friends, or political party members, instead of to the most qualified and capable candidates. Corruption is also when tenders for public works are awarded to firms whose owners or directors are linked to specific political parties, or political power brokers, and not to those who have the best references for the works, or have submitted the most attractive, cost-effective bids.

Corruption creates an elite that has all the rights and privileges, while the majority of the population simply cannot imagine, far less attain such benefits. Corruption means that far more public funds are spent on works and services whose real price is far lower.

The fight against corruption aims to eradicate such a state of affairs, or, at the very least, to reduce it to as tolerable a level as possible. However, this fight can only be effective if there are appropriate laws in place, and if control institutions, such as various inspectorates, prosecutors and law-enforcement agencies, are able to effectively, impartially enforce the rule of law.