Which of the following fall within the ambit of the term “corruption”? (a)…

Concept

Corruption is broader than bribery. In public ethics, it includes abuse of entrusted authority and breaches of official duty that subvert lawful administration or the public interest.

A conduct-based test therefore examines misuse of position, departure from governing rules, culpable omission of a required act, and injury to the public good.

Application

1. Misuse of official position is a direct abuse of entrusted authority.

2. Deviation from rules, laws and norms can subvert the lawful discharge of official duty.

3. Non-action when action is required is an abuse by omission because an official duty is deliberately left unperformed.

4. Harm to the public good conflicts with the public-interest purpose for which official authority is entrusted.

Contrast

• “(a) only” is too narrow because it leaves out rule deviation, culpable non-action and harm to the public good.

• “(a) and (b) only” still leaves out corruption by omission and harm to the public good.

• “(a), (b) and (d)” still leaves out non-action when an official act is required.

Cross-check

The broad administrative-ethics test covers both positive misconduct and culpable omission, and it also accounts for injury to the public interest.

Result

Therefore, misuse of official position, deviation from rules or norms, required-action omission, and harm to the public good all fall within the stated ambit; the accepted combination is “(a), (b), (c) and (d)”.