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Bribery and Extortion: Undermining Business, Governments, and Security
Bribery plays a significant role in international criminal activity. Terrorists pay bribes. Money-launderers pay bribes. Those who traffic in people, narcotics, and illegal arms pay bribes. People pay immigration officers not to ask, customs officials not to inspect, and police officers not to investigate. Bribes follow patterns that are not at all mysterious to the officials, salesmen, and citizens who seek them and pay them. Using a series of international cases, Wrage examines bribery, peeling back the mystique and ambiguity and exposing the very simple transactions that lie beneath. She shows how these seemingly everyday transactions can affect security, democratization, and human aid. Examples from around the world help to illustrate the nature of the problem and efforts at combating it.
Bribery plays a significant role in international criminal activity. Terrorists pay bribes. Money-launderers pay bribes. Those who traffic in people, narcotics, and illegal arms pay bribes. People pay immigration officers not to ask, customs officials not to inspect, and police officers not to investigate. At corporate headquarters in the United States, it can be easy to dismiss modest bribes in distant countries as an unfortunate cost of doing business. Bribes follow patterns that are not at all mysterious to the officials, salesmen, and citizens who seek them and pay them. Using a series of international cases, Wrage examines bribery, peeling back the mystique and ambiguity and exposing the very simple transactions that lie beneath. She shows how these seemingly everyday transactions can affect security, democratization, and human aid around the globe.
Bribery and Extortion presents a clear picture of the world of bribery and the havoc it can wreak on whole populations. Wrage covers commercial bribery, administrative and service-based bribery, and extortion. She considers bribery and extortion at both high levels of government and lower levels on the street. Examples from around the world help to illustrate the nature of the problem and efforts at combating it. The book concludes with practical suggestions and an assessment of current efforts to stem the tide of bribery and restore transparency to everyday transactions in all realms.
Bribery plays a significant role in international criminal activity. Terrorists pay bribes. Money-launderers pay bribes. Those who traffic in people, narcotics, and illegal arms pay bribes. People pay immigration officers not to ask, customs officials not to inspect, and police officers not to investigate. At corporate headquarters in the United States, it can be easy to dismiss modest bribes in distant countries as an unfortunate cost of doing business. Bribes follow patterns that are not at all mysterious to the officials, salesmen, and citizens who seek them and pay them. Using a series of international cases, Wrage examines bribery, peeling back the mystique and ambiguity and exposing the very simple transactions that lie beneath. She shows how these seemingly everyday transactions can affect security, democratization, and human aid around the globe.
Bribery and Extortion presents a clear picture of the world of bribery and the havoc it can wreak on whole populations. Wrage covers commercial bribery, administrative and service-based bribery, and extortion. She considers bribery and extortion at both high levels of government and lower levels on the street. Examples from around the world help to illustrate the nature of the problem and efforts at combating it. The book concludes with practical suggestions and an assessment of current efforts to stem the tide of bribery and restore transparency to everyday transactions in all realms.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2007
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February 22, 2022“petty” extortion to its grandest forms, is a tentacled crime whose damaging reach is pervasive and nearly incalculable.
He reportedly prepared for their meeting by taking a triple dose of Viagra, and the drug worked as intended by redirecting blood away from less urgently needed organs. At this dose, his heart was apparently deprived of oxygen and he was dead before the women could fl ee the room.
the French call a bribe today, or un petit cadeau , a little gift. An Italian cop will ask for “something for the weekend,” while Spanish and Mexican policemen will take a mordida —a little bite. A Nigerian offi cial will ask “won’t you smile at me?” A Russian is more likely just to tell you to pay up.
calling a spade a spade
Because government offi cials occupy a position of public trust, their abuse of that trust is arguably more damaging than similar abuses in the private sector.
While the term “kickback” may simply be used as slang for bribes, it implies a structured arrangement. Kickbacks are illegal commissions; they are bribes on a payment plan
kickbacks are clear at the outset
an envelope of cash slid across a desk
he may offer to order excess materials to ensure he has enough left over after the project to stop by the offi cial’s house and build him a new porch.
time-sensitive contract.
bribes are typically mischaracterized as consulting fees, translation expenses, computer services—a particular favorite—or commissions.
bribes in China and accounting for the money as “coffee fund.”
bribes usually trip over their books
T here is a strong link between countries with high levels of bureaucracy and those with high levels of bribery.
After statements of regret and hand-on-heart gesturing, he suggested that the US$50 fi ne could be paid directly to the offi cer, avoiding a trip to the police station and related “unpleasantness.
GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING
distinguishing gifts from bribes, to the extent that is possible.
He reportedly prepared for their meeting by taking a triple dose of Viagra, and the drug worked as intended by redirecting blood away from less urgently needed organs. At this dose, his heart was apparently deprived of oxygen and he was dead before the women could fl ee the room.
the French call a bribe today, or un petit cadeau , a little gift. An Italian cop will ask for “something for the weekend,” while Spanish and Mexican policemen will take a mordida —a little bite. A Nigerian offi cial will ask “won’t you smile at me?” A Russian is more likely just to tell you to pay up.
calling a spade a spade
Because government offi cials occupy a position of public trust, their abuse of that trust is arguably more damaging than similar abuses in the private sector.
While the term “kickback” may simply be used as slang for bribes, it implies a structured arrangement. Kickbacks are illegal commissions; they are bribes on a payment plan
kickbacks are clear at the outset
an envelope of cash slid across a desk
he may offer to order excess materials to ensure he has enough left over after the project to stop by the offi cial’s house and build him a new porch.
time-sensitive contract.
bribes are typically mischaracterized as consulting fees, translation expenses, computer services—a particular favorite—or commissions.
bribes in China and accounting for the money as “coffee fund.”
bribes usually trip over their books
T here is a strong link between countries with high levels of bureaucracy and those with high levels of bribery.
After statements of regret and hand-on-heart gesturing, he suggested that the US$50 fi ne could be paid directly to the offi cer, avoiding a trip to the police station and related “unpleasantness.
GIFTS THAT KEEP ON GIVING
distinguishing gifts from bribes, to the extent that is possible.
May 28, 2021
This book, written in 2007, taking an example of Nigeria and of course Indonesia as the example of corruption practices. Corruption itself a major problem in developing countries. So this is a very good book to explain the practice of corruption from bribery, extortion to embezzlement. However, personally this is also very sad as I read this in 2021 the content of this book is still relevant, and the spectrum is getting wider and more complicated. Never to late to learn this very sensitive topic.
A very good book, for foundation course of anti corruption. Five star for very good introduction.
A very good book, for foundation course of anti corruption. Five star for very good introduction.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews