how could u define CORRUPTION?

[leetahbar]

Published on Dec 2, 2011


Singapore lost its No. 1 spot on Thursday to become the fifth least-corrupt nation in the world, in the latest annual ranking by non-governmental corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI) --ST PHOTO: AURTHUR LEE CHBy Cai Haoxiang
Singapore lost its No. 1 spot on Thursday to become the fifth least-corrupt nation in the world, in the latest annual ranking by non-governmental corruption watchdog Transparency International (TI).

But it remains the least corrupt in Asia, ahead of Australia, Hong Kong and Japan.

TI officials and experts were quick to point out that the change in its ranking was not statistically significant, and that Singapore's reputation for clean, honest and efficient government remains intact.

Background story
Selected rankings

THE score relates to the degree of corruption in the country or territory as perceived by experts or their residents. It ranges from zero (highly corrupt) to 10 (least corrupt). Last year's rankings are in brackets.

Mr Liao Ran, who oversees TI's rankings for East Asia, said the emphasis should be on the score, rather than the ranking.


BEST 10

1 (1) New Zealand: 9.5

2 (1) Denmark: 9.4

2 (4) Finland: 9.4

4 (4) Sweden: 9.3

5 (1) Singapore: 9.2

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_740406.html

 

[leetahbar]

just by what amount or circumstance is corruption considered a sin? is there such a thing as a "harmless but helpful" corruption? eg> u pay a cleaner some money to clean ur rented room and it looks cleaner. is that corruption since the cleaner is already paid to do the job or just appreciation?