Page "Political corruption" Paragraph 18

A bribe is a payment given personally to a government official in exchange of his use of official powers.

Bribery requires two participants: one to give the bribe, and one to take it.

Either may initiate the corrupt offering ; for example, a customs official may demand bribes to let through allowed ( or disallowed ) goods, or a smuggler might offer bribes to gain passage.

In some countries the culture of corruption extends to every aspect of public life, making it extremely difficult for individuals to stay in business without resorting to bribes.

Bribes may be demanded in order for an official to do something he is already paid to do.

They may also be demanded in order to bypass laws and regulations.

In addition to using bribery for private financial gain, they are also used to intentionally and maliciously cause harm to another ( i. e. no financial incentive ).

In some developing nations, up to half of the population has paid bribes during the past 12 months.