Corruption has traditionally been defined as any practice that promotes self interest over the interests and well being of the public or community at large. Historically corruption has existed in the form of political abuse or deceit to facilitate the interests of the person over the public. The corrupt practices of early Stuart England have often been compared with contemporary views on corruption within government and politics. This paper will address broadly the notion of corruption with particular emphasis on the transition from classical to contemporary analysis and attention to the forces and trends most likely to influence society's notions of corruption today.

Classical Vs. Contemporary Perceptions of Corruption

As Peck (1993) points out contemporary theorists often describe political corruption using the same metaphor as classical theorists. Classical definitions of corruption often entailed descriptions or corrupted public officials, described by some as the "muddying of the streams of royal patronage" (Peck, 2). Corruption during classical times was considered an ever existing threat to the royal government officials of the time and support of the royal government b

Forces and Trends Affecting Our Notions Of Corruption Today

During classical times issues regarding corruption centered on issues including "access, allocation and gift" (Peck, 4). Modern conceptions of corruption however may not necessarily be applied to early governments. This issue is one that historians have struggled with for some time. One may find various definitions of corruption in classical terms valid. Corruption with respect to classical corruption and patronage may encompass a wide range of definitions including bribery, extortion, particularly that of "purveyors", acceptance of gifts for consent to conceal criminal acts or behaviors, venal practices by sheriffs or other officers, sale of office and similar engagements by officers of the courts (Peck, 1993). Modern definitions of corrupt practices follow similar veins. Peck (1993) cites Nye who defines corruption as "behavior that deviates from the formal duties of a public role because of private-regarding or status gains" (7). He further suggests that corruption entails violation of the rules against certain activities that enable private regarding influence, or influence related to personal or close family affairs (Peck, 1993). Still others suggest that acts are corrupt when they violate the responsibility government agents have toward the public in general or toward maintaining the civil order of the land (Peck, 1993). Such actions as defined by Peck (1993) are incompatible with a government system whose purposes should be establishing and maintaining the law of the land. Classical definitions of corruption follow a similar vein, suggesting that corrupt practices involve enjoying private regarding or personal suits at the expense of the public or good of t

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