Understanding the Corruption Perceptions Index Analytical Essay by Nicky

This paper examines the issue of corruption, which is considered to be endemic in at least half of the world's countries, its prevalence throughout the world, and the factors that tend to be present in the nations most affected. The paper cites the Corruption Perceptions Index that Transparency International (TI) releases each year; the index assigns a grade to every country, indicating that nation's relative level of corruption. The paper explains that TI derives its score using a national integrity assessment that weighs factors in three main categories - rule of law, sustainable development, and quality of life. Within these categories, the political, judicial and business systems are evaluated, along with ancillary items such as media freedom and electoral freedom, the paper adds. The paper concludes by noting that the poorest-performing countries on the corruption index tend to be those whose institutions have been damaged by warfare or other civil unrest; the least corrupt nations are small, homogeneous lands with a high level of stability and a relative lack of income gap.

Outline:
Introduction
Trends in Corruption
Major Differences
Issues of Culture
Major Ethical Problems
Issues/Actions
Ways to Lessen Corruption
How Does the US Compare?
Conclusions
Works Cited