On the one hand, there is movie-villain corruption. I pay bribes directly to politicians and law enforcement personnel, then I give them orders, which they follow regardless of the law.
On the other hand, there is a much more common type of corruption through affinity. I run a very lucrative and well-thought-of business in a key industry. I pay lobbyists to obtain access to politicians. Politicians develop an affinity for my interests because they have more exposure to my point of view through lobbying and that is magnified by the positive public perception of my company. Then, when my interests and other people's interests collide politicians (and law enforcement as well, due to similar phenomena) will naturally take my side because they have come to associate my interests with their and society's interests. This extends up to bending the law.
And, of course, there are degrees in between. I not only have fostered an affinity between politicians and my business, I give campaign donations, my lobbyists take you to really fancy meals, I gave a lucrative job to your brother in law, etc.
On the one hand, there is movie-villain corruption. I pay bribes directly to politicians and law enforcement personnel, then I give them orders, which they follow regardless of the law.
On the other hand, there is a much more common type of corruption through affinity. I run a very lucrative and well-thought-of business in a key industry. I pay lobbyists to obtain access to politicians. Politicians develop an affinity for my interests because they have more exposure to my point of view through lobbying and that is magnified by the positive public perception of my company. Then, when my interests and other people's interests collide politicians (and law enforcement as well, due to similar phenomena) will naturally take my side because they have come to associate my interests with their and society's interests. This extends up to bending the law.
And, of course, there are degrees in between. I not only have fostered an affinity between politicians and my business, I give campaign donations, my lobbyists take you to really fancy meals, I gave a lucrative job to your brother in law, etc.