Bribery, by any name, is universal. Its styles may be different from place to place, but its substance is always the same.
Wouldn't it be great if everyone had the same world view? - same values, same aspirations, reading from the same page and taking away the same understanding. Take the crime of bribery, for example.
In some countries police routinely demand bribes. They must do so to survive because their wages are so low--that is, if they get wages. People in First World countries would say their official authority is a license to steal.
In other countries, baksheesh, often a bribe by another name, is essential to doing legitimate business or, for that matter, to just obtain a marriage license or birth certificate. Baksheesh is not only unquestioned, it indicates respect for its recipient. Again, First Worlders would say it's a license to steal. In their travel bulletins the U.S. State Department and Canada's External Affairs constantly warn their respective citizens of the prevalence of bribery in other countries.
Yet, recently the FBI reported that its agents are currently investigating 2000 cases of alleged corruption - bribery, kickbacks, influence peddling - by public officials and elected politicians.
The Chicago city and Illinois state governments have been in turmoil for at least two years as case after case of corruption emerges. Chicago, of course, is the same city where, a century ago, two enterprising City Aldermen, Bathhouse John Coughlin and Hinky Dink Mike Kenna, circulated a bribery price list to brothels, gambling houses, and saloons. In exchange for bribes these establishments were provided operating licenses and protection from and by police.
Canadians, the "polite folk" on the world stage, practice bribery as assiduously as others but, being polite, they're subtle, eh?
How would a Canadian businessman bribe a license inspector? He might start with a business lunch, then perhaps move on to a friendly pool game, a few rounds of bullshit poker, or 18-holes of golf. The pair wager against each other, a perfectly acceptable bonding ritual, but the businessman always loses. The deal is done. Repeat thousands of times across the country.
Only the abysmally naïve would think Canadian lobbyists rely solely on moral suasion and sweet reason to press the causes of their clients. Indeed, a current Canadian investigation is looking very hard for millions of taxpayer dollars allegedly diverted to partisan political interests.
So, comes the question: is greasing the wheels really a crime at all? Without grease, bearings can seize, and do. Goodness gracious, for some individuals their quality of life may diminish.
But what's on the bottom line? If bribery is so universal, why is it prosecuted, except perhaps because anti-bribery advocates want their turn at the trough? Sure, bribery wastes tax dollars and drives up the cost of goods. Even optimists are resigned to that. No harm.
Then, there's the health inspector who ignores mice feces in a restaurant's salad. Disease. Or a construction safety inspector who ignores structural shortfalls. Building collapse or, at least, rapid deterioration. How about a new highway transformed into pot hole heaven after two years? Or the taste of cash (or stash) that keeps a drug deal active after a routine traffic stop?
Whether it's blatant or subtle, to the extent bribery is pervasive, it weakens our social fabric and reduces public safety and security. An outstretched hand isn't always for a friendly handshake--often it's to receive a handful. To that extent many people seem to be on the same page and share the same world view.
