Corruption and bribery are complex transactions that involve both someone who offers a benefit, often a bribe, and someone who accepts, as well as a variety of specialists or intermediaries
to facilitate the transaction. By perpetuating the ‘abuse of entrusted power for private gain’ – Transparency International’s definition of corruption – both the bribe payer and bribe
taker cause damage in a number of ways. Ultimately, their corrupt dealings create extreme inequity – both in markets and in societies.
The 2008 Bribe Payers Index ranks the likelihood of firms from 22 top exporting countries to bribe abroad.
