Although there is no single definition of corruption, at the Anti-Corruption Institute we define it as taking advantage of the position of authority held by a person or group of people for an undue benefit for themselves or a third party. This means that the position of power is used to obtain advantages in the face of a fact, opportunity or any other condition.
Corruption is almost always related to politics, and whilst it is undeniably a scenario where this crime is particularly prevalent, it is not uniquely political and can also appear in other spheres. Corruption can even be present in the daily life of citizens: from a malicious act of sneaking into a queue, to being a participant in money laundering.
To this end, it can be argued that there are different types of corruption, or at least different ways of being corrupt. Some scholars have classified corruption from different perspectives; among them is the frequently used description of systemic corruption.
Unfortunately, corruption in Colombia today has become the main protagonist of the country’s media agenda. There is more news generated – both in terms of quantity and frequency – about how both the private and public sectors have been involved in major corruption scandals. This phenomenon seems to be never-ending, and, although for many it has become normalized and they are resigned to it not facing justice, at the Anti-Corruption Institute, we continue to fight.
What does corruption mean to you?