Corruption, Lobbying, and Capture

A Comprehensive Review of Corruption in the United States

Abstract

This article attempts to identify the mechanisms by which corruption occurs in the US as well as the legal precedent that has given rise to these mechanisms. Gaps in campaign finance laws and ambiguous definitions have allowed corruption to flourish. Outlined here is a comprehensive definition of corruption that accounts for the nuances and loopholes that exist in the law. As well as two practices that act as conduits for corruption, lobbying for which, disclosure is suggested as a remedy, and Regulatory Capture. Lobbying being the process of special interests changing regulation to suit the needs of the firms they represent. Regulatory capture being the phenomena of regulated entities exerting undue influence on their regulators at a cost to the public. Both mechanisms complement each other and have resulted in an ineffective and inefficient bureaucracy that serves only a small minority of the country. Addressing these features will be essential for maintaining the integrity of the American system.