political corruption
Government officials stealing
Political corruption is the abuse of public office for private gain.
Officials may accept bribes, embezzle funds, award contracts to cronies, or sell influence: The mayor was convicted of political corruption after taking kickbacks from developers.
The term covers both individual misconduct and systemic rot where corruption becomes expected rather than exceptional.
Favoring friends in appointments
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- backscratchingTrading favors mutually
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- sinecurePaid position requiring nothing
connected · insider · appointment · placement
State-sponsored looting system
- oligarchyRule by few
- autocracyRule by one
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
authoritarianism · coercion · intimidation · suppression · strongman · malfeasance · manipulation · exploitation
Illegal payment for services
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- quid-pro-quoExchange of equivalents
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
- extortionObtaining through threats
baksheesh · backhander · sweetener · dash · envelope · palm-greasing
Fraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- misappropriationWrongful taking of entrusted assets
- siphoningDrawing liquid through tube
- lootingTheft during disorder
- peculationTheft of entrusted assets
defalcation · skimming · pilferage · self-dealing · boodle
Insider who reports misconduct
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- impeachmentCharging officials with misconduct
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- investigationFormal examination of facts
inquiry · probe · allegation · exposé · leak · testimony · resignation · censure
Deliberate misleading of others
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- fraudulenceIntentional deception for gain
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
- misconductImproper professional behavior
impropriety · sleaze · shadiness · skulduggery · demagoguery · unethical · disrepute · double-dealing
cronyism
Favoring friends in appointments
- nepotismPreferring kin in hiring
- backscratchingTrading favors mutually
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
sinecure · connected · insider · appointment · placement
kleptocracy
State-sponsored looting system
tyranny · authoritarianism · coercion · intimidation · suppression · strongman · malfeasance · manipulation · exploitation · rigging
kickback
Illegal payment for services
- payoffCulminating benefit received
- quid-pro-quoExchange of equivalents
- under-the-tableSecret and unofficial
extortion · baksheesh · backhander · sweetener · dash · envelope · palm-greasing
embezzlement
Fraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- misappropriationWrongful taking of entrusted assets
- siphoningDrawing liquid through tube
- lootingTheft during disorder
peculation · defalcation · skimming · pilferage · self-dealing · boodle
whistleblower
Insider who reports misconduct
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- impeachmentCharging officials with misconduct
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
investigation · inquiry · probe · allegation · exposé · leak · testimony · resignation · censure · oversight
deceit
Deliberate misleading of others
- duplicityDeliberate misleading behavior
- fraudulenceIntentional deception for gain
- falsificationDeliberate alteration of truth
misconduct · impropriety · sleaze · shadiness · skulduggery · demagoguery · unethical · disrepute · double-dealing · lying
- social issuesinequality, racism, poverty, illiteracy, homelessness
- Gilded AgeGilded Age, robber baron, robber barons, Carnegie, Rockefeller
- political crimestreason, sedition, insurrection, coup d'etat, coup attempt
- political intrigueintrigue, conspiracy, treason, plot, collusion
- regional crisespoverty, inequality, violence, crime, hunger
- Italian RepublicChristian Democrats, coalition governments, coalition government, PCI, PSI
political corruptiongood governance
Accountable, transparent institutional management
public service · civic virtue · statesmanship · incorruptibility · rectitude
political corruptionrule of law
Supremacy of established laws
accountability · meritocracy · due process · democratic accountability · checks and balances
policy, corrupt, politics, corruption, political, politician, policies, corrupted, corrupting