Writers 
Corruption is a cancer that can infect good civilizations. It is a method by which greed and desire for power can be organized and coordinated through conspiracy to shift wealth and power to those who operate counter to the organization’s goals. When a person uses their role and authority in an organization to divert the organization’s resources to themselves and those who help them cheat the system, they are corrupt. The more people they can bring into their scheme, the more power and wealth they can gain. Each person added to the sub-organization must be corrupted and each one either gets a piece of the stolen resources or are intimidated through fear of illicit punishment to join in or at least “look the other way.” Often, good people are forced into the corruption as a way to ensure they can never act against it. Corruption need not be about wealth, such as taking bribes. A judge could inject their personal bias, prejudices, or feelings into their decisions in opposition to the rule or correct interpretation of the law or evidence. In that way, they are putting their personal desires ahead of their official duties. That is a form of theft.
People can come to believe the power of their position is their personal power and forget they are only agents following their duties. Nepotism and cronyism, hiring unqualified relatives or friends are other forms of corruption. This is often considered a “perq” of the job. In some civilizations, the corruption forms complex organizations more efficient and effective than even the primary government.
Right now, our world leaders, such as the POTUS are not setting a good example for the people, so our cultures are suffering. We are being taught that if you are rich and powerful, you are immune to the law. If that is true, then being evil is okay, as long as it makes you rich and powerful. Lying and cheating and greed are good, smart traits, but only if you really go for it, use them to get to the top. Corruption is the process by which the rich and powerful use them to avoid justice. I will give you money and a bit of power, if you ignore the law, ignore the greater good of the people for me. In such a civilization, the poor outlaw that makes a lot of money is celebrated. The drug dealer becomes a role model. It is said that Rome itself was brought down by corruption, that the greatest strongest, most organizationally efficient empire became so weakened by corruption and lack of morality that it was easily overrun by poorly organized “barbaric” outside forces. However, it relocated and reorganized under a stronger religion, Christianity, which dramatically reduced corruption and survived. Brutal police action was replaced with religious control which better aligned with individual morality of the conscience. This made citizens happier and corruption harder to flourish.
For Justice to work, for it to effectively keep evil at bay, it must be applied equally to all, powerful or weak, rich or poor, regardless of your sex, or your religious beliefs, or the color of your skin, or where you were born. Then, people accept it readily and don’t tolerate corruption. People follow the law because they don’t feel cheated that others are ignoring the law and getting away with it. If wealth and power don’t allow you to escape your evil deeds, there is little motivation to do evil yourself. You are less willing to accept wealth and power in exchange for breaking the law because you know you will be accountable.
