Abstract

Among scholars, journalists and the general public, it is widely believed that the frequency and scale of corruption increased dramatically in the post-communist countries after they began their transition. Corruption is usually defined as the misuse of public office for private gain. It comes in many varieties – from the extortion of bribes and kickbacks from businessmen and citizens to the embezzlement of budget funds, the stripping of state assets, nepotistic hiring and violations of electoral and party finance rules. That said, the prototypical case that informs most research is that of a state official who demands an informal additional payment from citizens in return for providing some public service – in other words, a bribe.