Abuse of influence

Trading in special influence
Influence peddling
Commercialization of government contacts

Nature

Trading in influence, or influence peddling, is a term covering a variety of activities when connections or influence can be bartered for social, political, professional, commercial or even sexual advantage. The trader is a person with influence over, say a public servant or party official with respect to his legal or official duties.

Background

Abuse of influence emerged as a recognized global concern in the early 20th century, particularly with the rise of international business and political networks. High-profile scandals, such as the Lockheed bribery cases of the 1970s, highlighted the pervasive impact of undue influence on governance and commerce. Subsequent international conventions, including the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention (1997), underscored the problem’s complexity and prompted ongoing scrutiny of influence-peddling across sectors and borders.

Incidence

It is now common practice, even in administrations of democratic countries, for government officials to expect to receive payment in return for the award of government contracts. In countries like the USA the problem is aggravated by the practice whereby those leaving positions in government administrations take up positions in corporations through which they are able to derive commercial and other benefits from their earlier contacts in government. The flight from public service to private enrichment (the "revolving door" procedure) was specifically criticized by Bill Clinton.

In 1995, Brazil's ambitious surveillance system for the Amazon, Sivam, designed to shield one of the least protected regions in the world, was tangled in a controversy that had broad consequences for both the plan itself and its American contractor, the Raytheon Company. With a price tag of at least US$1.4 milliard, the project unleashed all sorts of machinations. Early on, Sivam created a diplomatic incident when it was alleged that the CIA had information that one of the Raytheon's chief rivals, the French defence contractor Thomson-CSF was offering payments to increase its chances of being awarded the contract. Another crisis hinted at influence-peddling. Opposition from an influential senator, who endorsed two less-costly systems, had tied up the approval of a new subcontractor. That obstacle became a crisis with the release of a taped conversation between the president's chief of protocol and a representative of Raytheon. The two discussed the senator's opposition, with the chief of protocol asking the representative if he knew "how much" the senator wanted. Besides, the Brazil's air force minister had to resign after he spent two days at the Raytheon representative's home.

Claim

Abuse of influence is a deeply troubling problem that undermines trust, fairness, and justice in every sphere of society. When individuals or institutions exploit their power for personal gain, it erodes public confidence, perpetuates inequality, and silences marginalized voices. This corrosive behavior must not be tolerated; addressing it is essential for building ethical, transparent, and equitable communities. Ignoring the abuse of influence threatens the very foundations of democracy and social progress.

Counter-claim

The so-called "abuse of influence" is vastly overstated and hardly a pressing issue. In reality, influence is a natural part of human interaction, and those who wield it have often earned their position through merit or expertise. Obsessing over potential abuses distracts from more tangible problems. Society benefits when capable individuals guide decisions, and the fear of influence being misused is largely unfounded and unnecessarily alarmist.