Corruption conversation questions

Corruption refers to a lack of integrity or honesty (especially susceptibility to bribery) and the use of a position of trust for dishonest gain.

Corruption

 * How much corruption do you think there is in your country? Do you think there is more or less than in other countries?
 * Does the press refer to it often? Do you know of cases which don't "make it" to the press?
 * Corruption can exist at many levels in a society. A corrupt policeman may accept a bribe to ignore an offence; a local politician and businessman may exchange money or gifts in order to secure government contracts; a head of state or a national government may engage in corruption on a massive scale to drain money from a country. Which forms of corruption, if any, have you seen?
 * Do you think it makes any difference if the corruption takes place in private businesses rather than in governments? If so, what is the difference?
 * What type of governments do you think are more likely to be corrupt - democracies or dictatorships? Why?
 * If corruption is a problem in a country, how could it be reduced?
 * Do you think that corruption is increasing day by day instead of decreasing?

A helping (back)hand(er)

 * Favouritism and nepotism, whereby jobs are given to friends or relatives, are also forms of corruption. Are you aware of any such practices?
 * What is the difference between nepotism and cronyism?
 * What is worse: grand corruption or petty corruption? Or both?
 * Do you know of any international organizations that fight against corruption?
 * How frequently do you think such practices are? What do you think are the consequences?
 * If you were the boss of a large corporation or government ministry and you were in a position to help out your friends and relatives, would you do so? What would you think about the ethics?
 * Do you think corruption can be fought with transparency?

In business

 * If you became aware of corrupt activities at the company where you work, what would you do?
 * Is it common practice in your company to receive gifts from suppliers at Christmas time? If so, what do you think of this custom?
 * At what value would a "small gift" change into a bribe?
 * The 78-year-old fraudster Bernie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison in 2009. What do you think of this sentence?