The semantics war currently raging over the word "CORRUPTION" can only be resolved when there exists a consensus as to what exactly we are talking about, possible only through a dispassionate feedback. Dictionary.com defines "corruption" as a "dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving "bribery" and goes on to add "unscrupulousness, deceit, deception, duplicity, double-dealing, fraud, fraudulence, misconduct, law-breaking, crime, criminality, delinquency, wrongdoing, and villainy". Quite a mouthful already, and it goes on to add that it is "the process by which a word or expression is changed from its original state to one regarded as erroneous or debased" and "the process by which a computer database or program becomes debased by alteration or the introduction of errors". To this list we must add the contribution by Transparency International that defines corruption as simply "the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, it hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in position of authority".[read more]
