For the purpose of the CPI, how is corruption defined?
Transparency International has tended to focus on corruption in the public sector and define corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain. The CPI makes no effort to reflect private sector fraud. The surveys used in compiling the CPI tend to ask questions in line with the misuse of public power for private benefits, with a focus, for example, on bribing of public officials, taking kickbacks in public procurement or embezzling public funds, etc. Many experts on corruption seek to make further distinctions within this broad definition, as they note both administrative corruption (e.g. illicit payments to tax inspectors) and political corruption (e.g. bribes to politicians and political parties).
