The embezzlement of public funds is an act of corruption.
Corruption is the action and effect of corrupting (deprave, spoil, bribe someone, pervert, harm). The concept, according to the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) , is used to name a vice or abuse in writing or in non-material things.
Latin is where we can establish the etymological origin of this term. Specifically, it emanates from the word corruptio , which is made up of the following elements: the prefix con- , which is synonymous with “together” ; the verb rumpere , which can be translated as “break into pieces” ; and finally the suffix -tio , which is equivalent to “action and effect” .
Corruption, in short, can be a moral or symbolic depravity . For example: “We must not tolerate the corruption of our traditions due to foreign pressures,” “The minister's statements contribute to the corruption of the peace agreement.”
Corruption as abuse of power
In another sense, corruption is the practice of abusing power , functions or means to obtain economic or other benefit.
Political corruption is understood as the misuse of public power to obtain an illegitimate advantage: “The cases of corruption in this country have reached the front pages of the world's newspapers,” “The former president will be prosecuted for corruption in the purchase of a plane” , “I will be in charge of pursuing corruption so that there is no scandal in my government” .
Sometimes a corruption network develops with numerous participants.
Politics and crime
Throughout history, as we learned through the various world media, there have been numerous cases of political corruption . This demonstrates not only the impunity with which different leaders can act but also the need to tighten the laws for these situations and for widespread political reform.
Spain is one of the countries that in recent years has seen numerous cases of corruption by its leaders come to light. Hence, not only has there been a change in the minds of citizens regarding politicians or that the nation has suffered a serious economic crisis, but also that initiatives such as the “Citizens against corruption 2.0” platform have emerged.
Likewise, it must be established that there are various institutions and organizations whose clear function is to control that acts of corruption do not occur. Among them, for example, Transparency International ( TI ) stands out: a non-governmental organization, founded in the 90s and based in Berlin ( Germany ), which is responsible for developing different measures with the aim of putting an end to corruption.
Unexplained wealth can be the result of corruption.
Types of corruption
Influence peddling, bribery , extortion and fraud are some of the different corruption practices, which are reflected in actions such as giving money to a public official to win a tender or paying a gift or bribe to avoid closure.
Other crimes are linked to corruption, since the corrupt person usually commits the practice to allow or request something illegal. A police officer is corrupt if he receives money from a man to allow him to rob a house without police interference. In this case, two crimes come together: the act of corruption (which can be classified as bribery ) and theft.
The diversion of funds , money laundering and illicit enrichment are other acts of corruption that constitute crimes. The sanctions applied to those who commit these actions depend on each legislation.
A cultural problem
Many analysts consider that, when it becomes structural, a culture of corruption develops. This happens when society stops perceiving corruption as something serious or when it tolerates it as if it were inevitable.
Take the case of the acceptance of gifts by a public official . A minister may be invited by a businessman to a party at his beachfront mansion. In addition to participating in this social event, you receive a champagne as a souvenir. Given that the businessman in question maintains various businesses with the State, the situation is questionable both ethically and legally. However, the dissemination of information does not have a great impact since citizens do not give it relevance.
The culture of corruption is often associated with government inefficiency and institutional weakness . There is an opacity in the public administration that includes the absence of accountability (which gives rise to the manipulation of accounts), cronyism when carrying out tenders and other events linked to corruption. However, this dishonesty does not register a very marked social condemnation.
The vulnerability of the system to structural corruption is also seen in interference or political influence in Justice and in the evasion of obligations by officials without punishment.