Bribery

Graft
Kickbacks
Sweeteners
Payola
Handouts
Giving bribes
Receiving bribes

Nature

Bribery includes the offering, demanding, giving and receiving of any payments or gifts to a person in connection with his official functions, with the intention of improperly influencing a decision. Bribery may be used in political, government, business, sports or any other field where the corruption of an individual can benefit the person doing the bribing.

Background

Bribery has been documented since ancient civilizations, with early legal codes such as the Code of Hammurabi addressing corrupt practices. Its global significance emerged in the 20th century as international trade and governance expanded, revealing systemic vulnerabilities. Landmark events, including the Watergate scandal and the Lockheed bribery cases, heightened public awareness and prompted multinational efforts, such as the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention (1997), to address bribery as a pervasive and transnational challenge.

Incidence

Bribery remains a pervasive issue affecting both developed and developing nations, undermining governance, distorting markets, and eroding public trust. According to Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, over two-thirds of countries score below 50 out of 100, indicating widespread bribery and corruption. The World Bank estimates that over $1 trillion is paid in bribes globally each year, impacting sectors such as public procurement, law enforcement, and healthcare.
In 2023, a major bribery scandal emerged in South Africa involving the state-owned power utility Eskom. Senior officials were accused of accepting millions in bribes from contractors in exchange for lucrative tenders, exacerbating the country’s ongoing energy crisis.

Claim

Bribery is a deeply corrosive problem that undermines justice, erodes public trust, and perpetuates inequality. It allows the powerful to manipulate systems for personal gain while silencing honest voices and crushing opportunities for those who play by the rules. Bribery is not a minor issue—it is a cancer that infects governments, businesses, and communities, threatening the very foundation of fair and ethical societies. We must confront and eradicate bribery with unwavering determination.

Counter-claim

Bribery is vastly overblown as a societal concern. In reality, it’s a minor issue that barely affects the daily lives of most people. Resources spent combating bribery could be better used elsewhere, as its impact is negligible compared to larger problems like poverty or healthcare. The obsession with rooting out every minor instance of bribery distracts from more pressing matters and unnecessarily complicates simple transactions. It’s simply not an important problem.