What corruption looks like in the West | DW Analysis

[@dwnews]

Correction: at 7:12 we mention the "EU'S GRECO." GRECO is of course part of the Council of Europe, no the EU!

[@Stopinvadingmyhardware]

As opposed to the US with actual torture and constant antagonism with rapes randomly.

[@yeetyeet7070]

@@Stopinvadingmyhardware take your meds

[@snap1444]

Being from developing country living in developed country, I have had the opportunity to compare the systems. In developing world, people break laws which is the visible corruption. In the developed world, they never break the law. They simply tweak the law and use a fancy word to describe it. For e.g., in developing world, you can bribe to get your way. In developed world, you can become the lobbyist and legally raise invoices to do the same thing.

[@mshkolazmarz]

exactly.

[@DC-wp6oj]

At least in a developed country you don’t have to pay a bribe to the gas, electric and water companies, to the police for a speeding ticket. Or just to get anything minor done. That kind of corruption is visible and rampant in a developing country. The big difference is we pay high taxes so expect day to day corruption to be far less.

[@Daniel-gj2cd]

@@DC-wp6oj Yes but this only leads to people further down the chain not having the chance to skip minor processes. In Germany, if your dad is working for the leading party or has a big company in town he can just call a guy from his Rotary Club and you're in or you get a pass on a prosecution. If you're a "normal" citizen you have to fight your way through every process. In developing countries you at least have the chance to pay a small express fee. After living through both systems, the only difference is that in 1st world countries corruption is limited to people with power and is called networking.

[@Marqan]

It's not useful to even compare developing and developed corruption like that, implying that they have anything to do with eachother. In Germany taxpayers lose some money, in China buildings fall on civilians, in Hungary govt corruption means that public education and healthcare are crumbling to the point where there aren't enough doctors, and from september there won't be enough elementary school teachers. I'd say there's significant difference between corruption and corruption.

[@liva236muzika]

99% of people won't run into a lobbyist. But they will run into a corrupt policeman or doctor. In other words, petty corruption is a much bigger drag on your every day life than someone lobbying for Azerbaijan in EU parliament.

[@VanBurenOfficial]

Corruption must be punished, eradicated, and actively investigated and prevented. It is a cancer.

[@niburu1508]

A very embedded cancer.

[@marcello4258]

For this is first and foremost mit be illegal. In Germany, as stated, most is legal. And it’s unlikely the politicians will make laws against their most profitable income source their self.

[@niburu1508]

@@marcello4258 then they are UNFIT to be making laws.

[@RR-et6zp]

no, feminism is lol

[@martinr2040]

its not always the greed of some people that causes corruption, sometimes its the injustice of the system also. corruption in a corrupt state however, is needed as it is the only way for normal people to survive.

[@bertcopying1036]

As usual, strict rules/capitalism for the poor and flexible rules/socialism for the rich.

[@Sundara229]

Owned a small business with 3 employees in Germany for 9 years now and this statement is 100% correct.

[@ricobacalla1891]

You get what you pay for

[@RagingGoblin]

No, that's not at all what this is about.

[@theparadoxicaltouristtrave9320]

You get both in authoritarian countries.

[@hannahschneyder6651]

Well yeah, but both of those are just capitalism, in fact.

[@andreaslach691]

I am very happy that DW paints a clear picture in this report. I am sure that the media needs to do this more often and tie it into the overall reporting as well. Else it feeds the consiritorial mindset of more and more people. Korruption is as old as humanity itself. It is kind of a characteristic of a human. So we need to talk about it in order to overcome it.

[@harrypass1252]

Yeah true I fully agree. But I feel like the West or developed countries get the blame for everything. While many authorian regimes look squeaky clean because we don't understand there domestic politics we can't report on issues in those countries and in many cases they lie and make up things that let them get off the hook like for instance Russia economic figures or China coved cases. Obviously corruption exists and it's everywhere in the world but we need prospective on how much corruption each country is doing. To fully understand the extent of what's actually going on.

[@effexon]

here in smaller countries bigger ones like germany are looked and told, see no corruption, just coz so many more people there... which is false.... where ever there is opportunity, some people grab that.

[@robrak3569]

The difference of corruption in poorer less developed countries vs that of the developed countries like Germany is it is more sophisticated in the latter

[@harrypass1252]

@robrak3569 Well obviously you arent going to have a sophisticated corruption operation in a poor country lol

[@harrypass1252]

@effexon No you are wrong in democratic countries there may be more sophisticated ways of covering up corruption but it is much more widely reported on by am independent and free media which you don't have in developing countries

[@TheLivirus]

Well done DW news! This is journalism.

[@norwegianzound]

It is when new names are revealed. This is more of a retrospective of what we already know.

[@contentedbuddha]

@@norwegianzoundStill important to remind people that still think that corruption is an other people problem

[@henrikbergman4055]

​@@norwegianzoundStill good, that they give it media attention. And is different from when there's a name. Often the focus in media is on the person and not on corruption as a whole.

[@sutapasbhattacharya9471]

There was massive corruption in Covid contracts given to friends of Health Minister Hancock - who had no experience in such things then did not supply usable products whilst buying luxury cars and yachts from their windfalls - here in the UK. Not surprising with the corrupt clown Boris as PM.

[@linzixuan29]

U must also wish they they don’t get sued

[@1112viggo]

The problem with western corruption is that most of what they do to aggrandize themselves at the expense of the state and its people is legal, and even when its not there is no real consequences for being caught. Like in Denmark where i live (one of the least corrupt nations on earth, allegedly) there have been tons of cases with politicians who was caught giving lucrative government contracts to the companies of their friends in exchange for expensive gifts or valuable favors, even though the law dictates there has to be kind of an auction where companies bid on the job and the contract given to whoever can do it cheapest. Despite this practice costing the state a fortune every year and it being a publicly known fact, politician have still gotten away with it for decades. Its peoples own fault for being fine with it though. The public generally sucks and we get the politicians we deserve.

[@effexon]

that is even more common in city level... bigger cities are easier and more tempting to do that as projects can be huge and urbanization trend helps in this. some city level projects can be bigger than state level. there is often much less scrutiny on communal level policy making and these decisions despite some city can be over 1million population, size of a smaller country (eg Stockholm, Kopenhagen, Oslo). In nordics already 300,000 inhabitant cities can have project budgets in billion euros. Also "stimulus" or NGO money given by cities can be tremendous and there is hardly visibility to average citizen, not even average council member knows much.

[@SinoM123]

Yup! This same thing happens in South Africa. Exactly how you laid it out.

[@og7748]

Second to that. I think state funded construction works are one of the corruption areas in the Nordics. I saw way too many cases when the same road or pedestrian street is repaired or re-repaired multiple times in a short period. No private homeowner would plan and do those kind of repairs.

[@riyadh1121]

your example seems very obvious. How is it not a corruption? it's conflict of interest

[@1112viggo]

@@riyadh1121 It is corruption, but politicians can only be punished if more than half of our version of the congress aggress, but oddly enough, despite rivalry and fundamental ideological disagreements, politicians of every party can all agree not to punish each other for these crimes. Instead of fines or jailtime we have this "punishment" in Denmark, reserved only for politicians of course that´s called a "nose" it basically just mean a figure of authority tells them "never do this again or else"... The current record holder got more than 80 of these pointless "noses" in his political career.

[@dereklenzen2330]

Here in the US, three common forms of corruption include intense lobbying of politicians (from the usual "wining and dining" to "fact-finding trips" to exotic destinations), highly lucrative sinecures on corporate boards or lobbying firms following retirement or election defeat, and "speaking fees" of hundreds of thousands of dollars for future presidential candidates and cabinet-level secretaries. Also common are charitable "foundations" for retired high-profile politicians that function effectively as slush funds for themselves and their families.

[@effexon]

how are "post presidential" speaker fees? Ive wondered why they pay so much and who pays, eg vice president also can get very wealthy after office (Al Gore comes to mind, his speaker fee was astronomical compared to even average famous CEO fee)

[@kaylidington]

Being mirrored in the UK. Everyone is sick of it and yet somehow it is impossible to stop. I knew back in the Blair years that things were on the slide when "doing the right thing" was replaced by "I have not broken the rules". Subtle, but fundamental.

[@W_Bin]

@@effexon Public speaking fees prices open market. The concern is revolving door of lobbying and door-opening that's of concern.

[@niburu1508]

Like the Clintons. You have not mentioned taking and giving bribes, bullying and blackmail. Jeffery Epstein style. Ukraine/ China/ Romania etc employing a junkie lawyer who was the VP/ Presidents son and how rich the family have become. The apparent. Cover up,by the services who are supposed to expose and deal with that type of crime. The blatant lies that Biden tells crowds about his family history. Telling the Hawaiians about his house also burning down when all that happened was a small kitchen fire which was extinguished in 20 minutes. What is the matter with Americans?

[@raoulhery]

what about lobbying from big pharma to sell multiple shots for young and healthy children. unforgivable. What's next, vaccinate foetuses?

[@DanH-u3f]

In the US, it's big corporations and billionaires funding politicians through Super PACs and lobbying efforts. It's so bad that US congressmen for both parties are just telemarketers asking for donations for their party everyday. They are told by the donors how to vote on legislation. This is why you see America in such a mess right now. Corporations win and the average American suffer.

[@abdulvahid93]

Most of the corruption in the US are legal like lobbying and, giving hundreds of billions of defense contracts to a particular contractor because they are experts in the niche field. 😂

[@EliF-ge5bu]

Big words you need to support with factual evidence. With all the things that you said, Americans are having it much better than Europeans. Are their corruption more severe than hours?

[@andreaslach691]

Agreed

[@larryc1616]

Just the Republican politicians 🙄

[@andreaslach691]

@@larryc1616 Oh well. That is far from true. Lots of Dems do that very well. Thats why big doners often donate to ether or, or both parties. That makes it so difficult to change anything.

[@taotie86]

The biggest problem is that some of the biggest schemes can be the borderline cases difficult to even call corruption. Like former politicians receiving positions in management boards of large corporations. Some might try to link that to certain decisions they made, but it is difficult to prove. Hard to ban it, because on what basis one could block a person from taking a legal job?

[@cryptomaster278]

True unless there is a rule to give former politician unlimited money then that can be a reason to ban like. If you retired you can spend as much as you can why you work 😉

[@effexon]

have you heard "revolving door principle"? they talked of US politics but in europe it has become more and more common too.... person in politics takes that job, with knowledge how procurement or legislation process works and then other people in company or organization affiliated with group of companies can lobby instead. This is very difficult problem to tackle but is new form of corruption. Those jobs usually have way higher salary than average person with same qualifications would get.

[@cryptomaster278]

@@effexon or you can give them like $ 1 T usd and tell them don't need to work forever because they already super Uber rich

[@alejandromaldonado6159]

Corruption comes in many shapes and forms.

[@Zullyan]

NDA and non-competing clause for 4 years after occupying a major government position, preventing that person from taking a major job with any corporation/major company.

[@shmeebegek1]

“Helping corrupt rich, mostly men, to hide money outside their borders” Mostly men.. what’s the relevance of this parenthetical?

[@knusperkeks2748]

Mix between factual information and a tiny bit of wokeness, to spice up the video for the algorithm I'd imagine. And provoke comments like yours and mine.

[@lokeshdhakal315]

This is what I usually say, in developing world corruption is seen but in developed world it is "unseen". And the consequences: developing nation even a comman man with a money can get his work done because he would know whom to bribe whereas in a developed country only elites have that luxury to "get those things done" and we common men believe and follow the system driven by these elites 😅

[@DipayanPyne94]

Right. But, nowadays, the corrupt people are well known in countries like USA.

[@triggabun]

Exactly! They have their own circles that you don't have access to. If you want to get in you have to land the right job and those jobs are handed to picked individuals who are going to play ball.

[@kulturfreund6631]

Corruption doesn’t necessarily involve immediate payments. It often works like "Do us this and that favor and you‘ll get a seat as a CEO or on the board or as councilor , after withdrawing from politics.“

[@brandonhultgren5776]

Public service should not be self-enriching.

[@Daswars777]

Im demanding this since decades. It must be imperative for the so called "West".

[@kevinswift8654]

Yet somehow it always is

[@niburu1508]

@@Daswars777 the ‘lawmakers’ who have passed such laws should be prosecuted. Make an example of a few of them would be a start.

[@busysaru888]

The US media and politicians ignore this mostly. I wonder why...

[@ph11p3540]

Because they can loose their journalism license or accreditation. No license - no privilaged access to politicians and its much easier to arrest a journalist who lacks accreditation. Police tend to know who the accredited journalists are and leave them alone. A lot of unlicensed journalists get into all kinds of serious legal trouble

[@codylarkhart261]

The U.S has always been entrenched of having a upper class thats separates itself from the rest of society, people may see this as being the gatekeepers. Ivy league schools, prestigious institutions have always played a part of exhuming the character of one being supposedly superior through accolades and academic procedure then those with less material wealth or status. "It's one big club and you ain't in it" quoted by George Carlin is the epitome of what the situations has always been, even before the civil war in the United States..There is a reason also JFK spoke against secret societies and those who lurk in the shadows, who's own agenda goes against the very principles of Having Human rights and freedoms and The foundation of the Constitution, pledge, or Charter of a Nation.

[@niburu1508]

@@ph11p3540 and Julian ASSANGE

[@allykid4720]

Legalized crime - not a crime. We've legalized bribes and perks for authorities in the system via invoices and license fees, so it's not seen as a corruption. Same like with the tips in restaurants: either you give a tip directly to the waiter bypassing cashier (corruption), or you give it in the invoice. (That's why we have higher price levels compared to authoritarian countries). Ironically, society also pays additional taxes on legal corruption through the markup on that higher invoice.

[@W_Bin]

Tips in restaurants are not taxable if they are gifts, for good service, which is not corruption! If a "tip" is required, it is not a tip but part of the contract payment for the service, and is taxable. That is different from payments for procuring something the payer is not entitled to, which is corruption.

[@allykid4720]

@@W_Bin T.I.P. - "to insure promptness", was given to the footman in advance of the five-o-clock tea, to secure speed and better service (same as nowadays one gives 💰 to a government authority to speed up the bureaucratic paperwork or to receive personal benefits from him). We're simply accustomed to give a tip AFTER the service nowadays. Try an experiment: don't give any tips for the waiter in your local restaurant couple of times, and you'll be surprised how reluctant he'd become to serve you.

[@RagingGoblin]

This is nonsense. You don't have a clue what you're talking about.

[@niburu1508]

allykid - “WE”:have legalised crime? No WE have NOT. Criminals/ lawmakers have legalised crime to benefit themselves. Besides the low grade corruption that you seem to be referencing there is also the major Millions of dollar corruption. Almost everyone is capable of being a liar, their and murderer but thankfully not everyone stoops to those levels.

[@johnsinclair4621]

That’s definitely not the reason of higher price levels in the „developed world“. That’s just pure first world brain rot

[@muhammad-bin-american]

In the West they simply legalize corruption. Why go through all that hassle when you can simply change the rules in your favor by influencing the lawmakers?

[@DipayanPyne94]

That is exactly how it is in USA.

[@nukiolbartes6279]

Plot twist : petty corruption is bad. grand corruption is good

[@aa6945]

Wirecard scandal, Berlin airport and Deutsche Bank were also in the news but not mentioned in this report

[@skit555]

Isn't corruption just the demonstration that politicians no longer consider themselves serving people but served by the people, which means that, beyond the tip of the iceberg, it's a mindset issue? I mean, in Wallonia, corrupt politicians don't even have to break laws; they just arrange it as per their needs, like allowing themselves really expensive pieces of furniture and high salaries.

[@SykPaul]

when you have 0 corruption because your country calls it lobbying

[@DukeDukeGo]

As a german, when I think corruption, I immediately think undisclosed benefits from lobbyism, politicians being on the board of Blackrock, etc... Instead of a bribe under the table

[@christopherhobb7702]

Investing in alternate income streams should be the top priority for everyone right now especially given the global economic crisis we are currently experiencing, Stocks, gold, silver, and virtual currencies are still attractive investments at the moment.

[@cassiejacobs4197]

Be a goal achiever Always aim high so your dreams can come to reality Use your job to finance your goals✅ You can't be an employee forever! Consistent efforts in trading/investment will put you in a position where success will find you

[@mirabellelia9996]

​@lindapoplin7150Having a job doesn't mean security rather having different investments is the real deal

[@jeremygood3246]

I advice everyone to start investing and never rely on just salary. No billionaire made it through salary

[@antoniolabrasca9069]

I'm looking for something to venture into on a short term basis, I have about $6k sitting in my savings

[@antoniolabrasca9069]

​@lindapoplin7150thank you for sharing Linda

[@Vifi333]

When someone talks about corruptions, Pakistan be like "hold my beard kids" 😂😂

[@oneshothunter9877]

Lol😂😂 I'm down!😂😂 Now I can't finish this doc without having a grin on my face.

[@geroldbendix1651]

If you consider the fact that more than 50% of the members of parliament in Germany are Lawyers, you already know the amount of corruption that is going on. You have to know the law if you want to bend it, right?

[@willzyxOfficial]

That's a rather negative take. You also have to know the law, to make laws, no? Which is what politicans are supposed to do in the first place. It's almost as non-sensical as "if you consider the fact that 100% of members of parliament in Germany own knives, you already know the amount of stabbings that is going on".

[@NeurosenkavalierEmilSinclair]

In germany there are somewhat loud demands to make a law, that forces members of our elected institutions (like the Bundestag) to publish lobby work, lobby contacts and payments which are connected to lobby work. It was rejected by most parties, even some of one would think are more left leaning. Also there are discussions about prohibit politicians having "sidehustles" in companys. A lot of them earn a shitton of money by "giving speeches" at company event (I mean sure its totally normal you get thousands of euro for talking 20min at a company event) or being part of company structures. And of course, there is our beloved ex chancelor Schröder who was offered a good job in the russian company gazprom right after he quit his position as leader of our democracy.

[@mohammadbaranishooli218]

We call corruption lobby and it is totally legal

[@JohnSmith_UK]

One of the best example of what journalism is all about. BBC can learn a lot from DW !

[@gbubemia]

Bravo DW! If you can do this kind of documentary about your own country, you should be trusted! You are the best news source on KZbin!

[@VittamarFasuthAkbin]

maybe thats their secret plan to gain legitimacy and then get paid documentaries by corrupt governments ;)

[@louistan7560]

It is endemic. When leaders work for others' interests instead of their own national interests, something is amiss. One can see that very clearly in the EU Commission, the EU Council, and the Olaf Scholz Government.

[@shenhue7041]

Oh yes sind 70%+ of all coruption skandals in germany are from the cdu/csu ...

[@sockosophie3132]

Do you really think Laschet would have done it different, his party is the leader of corruption in germany, closely followed by the FDP.

[@niburu1508]

The fact that they sponsor and support Ukraine - the most corrupt country in Europe - speaks for itself. They have been doing it since 2014.

[@krazYFaic]

"...By helping corrupt rich. Mostly men..." was that really necessary?

[@redbullwater]

Yeah

[@GregorWSky]

You forgot to add English subtitles to Scholz at 0:52

[@EnverHalilHoxha1917]

I mean it is pretty easy to understand hes saying "I am an anti nuclear energy bellend who getd paid by coal and fossil fuel lobbyists" And "I accept all allegations of me being a gay furry pron writer and a serial child iykyk" And not in the video but he says "we say we are better than france but thatz cuz we just coping" See german is pretty ez.

[@socanwejusttalk]

As usual I really appreciate your reporting! Just a suggestion though, since the video is mainly in English, and I imagine many of your viewers are not German, could you put English subtitles when Scholz is speaking German so we can understand that too?

[@niburu1508]

Why bother listening to a compulsive liar?

[@nadvic1797]

Who is Scholz? Oh, you mean our Chancellor? I have no memory of him getting elected, so it must have never happened.

[@datnguyenthe8300]

"What is the robbing of a bank compared to the founding of a bank." -Bertolt Brecht

[@filippalexandrov1554]

Good time to talk about Jens Spahn again

[@matterno]

I am from germany and I currently hate it. As a citizen you just feel like a cow that gets milked. Its not fun living here anymore and its not rewarding working here anymore. In every layer of our system anyone wants to get his "share" of the public money... YOUR money that you earn. You will be giving away over 60-70% of your monthly income for taxes and cost of living that get higher and higher because of corrupt politicians

[@Drganguli]

Yes the corruption in many western countries is at the highest levels and through lobbies, hiring after retirements snd speaking engagements

[@niburu1508]

And according to Transparency International still rising.

[@diymicha2]

Corruption is no problem in Germany. Just do the Scholz-move: "I can't remember that". And you're good to go. Some Millions more in the pocket.

[@Tennis2016]

Corruption is the real motivation for politicians . Otherwise why they should do politics ??

[@netional5154]

responsibility, wanting to avoid crime taking over. Wanting fairness in society, wanting good nature without pollution, etc. According to your logic, there also shouldn't be any volunteers at non profits.

[@Tennis2016]

@@netional5154 : you are too romantic brother. I wish it was like that but currently wolves are ruling over sheep’s with our own tax money

[@netional5154]

@@Tennis2016 well there are so many countries and in a country so many jurisdictions, so I can't know what your situation is. But from the bottom of my heart I truly feel politicians are among the most important people in a society because that's where all the coordination takes place. And very often ungrateful. I just read a report about a major in Belgium threatened with his life because a youth was shot dead by the police. Or how about all those Ecuadorian political candidates that have been murdered in the most recent election campaign.

[@Tennis2016]

@@netional5154 : Europe is democratic. I am in North America . It’s corruption here …

[@revj7397]

@@netional5154 bruh. How old are you?

[@archivorat]

The only difference between eastern and western corruption is the honesty in labelling. For the same act of getting money for some preferred outcome in the east you bribe an official, in the west you have bureaucratic ways to donate money, pay taxes thus making it legal.

[@donswazzy24]

Finally, DW news is giving us the news we deserve. ❤

[@varunr7042]

In Germany, the competition between companies is a joke. For example : there is only Flixbus and DB with monopoly business and no competition to them. I wonder what is the competition authority doing? Why aren't they encouraging other players. It's all legal corruption

[@cantkeepitin]

I also wonder about this, but it makes little sense to have different rail roads from different companies. So we need a monopol by state for the rails, and competition for trains. But even this is not good because all should be aligned. But the state doing everything may not work so well too unfortunately

[@ivansultanoff6719]

In one word: the world is sick in many areas

[@BrassLock]

You used seven words. That's *_Inflation_* 😮

[@WhoAmEye_WhoAreEwe]

@@BrassLock 🤌

[@bugfeatures]

Not even a blind person would call the corruption in germany hidden

[@JohnSmall314]

We wish our public sector broadcaster in the UK, the BBC would do a similar report on the corruption in the present UK government. Corruption in the UK reaches to the very highest levels and makes corruption in Germany look very small.

[@spankeyfish]

The Beeb can't do anything until the Tories are out at the next election otherwise they risk getting their funding pulled.

[@evgenigenov3433]

It's hidden only for the people who refuse to see and hear.

[@ricoandrade3123]

I’m actually shocked Scholz wasn’t mentioned

[@mircopaul5259]

Also Biden should be mentioned actually

[@LadyRooooooo]

Thank you for showing this documentary. This means ALL are involved both developed and developing countries.

[@harrypass1252]

Yeah but to various different levels.

[@codylarkhart261]

The 3rd world has been turned into nothing but a unlimited resource of natural resources for Corporations and companies(even national), that literally just embezzle most of it's yield and leave crumbs for the locals and want them to be "grateful" for it. This is why for majority of 3rd world countries we can see the visible division of people living in untold poverty of tin shacks and shanties, while on the more geographically aesthetic looking side of the countries have developed buildings, fashion stores, clubs etc for those who are indulging the spoils of the countries resources(Brazil is a very obvious example). All major countries who spawn multi-National corporations are guilty of such practice, and many upcoming innovative leaders from these 3rd world countries have either been assassinated or ran off to breach the inner socio and economic fabrics of these societies. The IMF is nothing more then a straight jacket that holds a impoverished country hostage to it's own misfortune. Today, there is a race to dominate and own the very structure of these poor countries for world Domination(One World Government), and evidently Western Nations as well are being turned into huge production factories and many are seeing the division of wealth growing just like we can see in 3rd world countries. The biggest transfer of wealth in the History of Humanity. They want us slaves. Who is they? you need to research.

[@LadyRooooooo]

@codylarkhart261 you are SOOO detail and right. My pain is that those who are educated and the elites among us, are busy selling our wealth and future for a few coins.

[@LadyRooooooo]

@harrypass1252 no matter the level of corruption, I believe no sin is better than the other. It is all called corruption.

[@harrypass1252]

@LadyRooooooo That would be a wrong way of looking at things there is low level petty corruption for things that are insignificant and then there widespread high level corruption throughout the whole of the government typically in authorian regimes. Perspective is important

[@moniershebeika3610]

Being corrupt you always need TWO sides...

[@cantkeepitin]

For the mask skandal I think the politicians are more responsible

[@abc4593]

the problem is centralisation (the state) as always

[@08TheMidnight]

Finally, someone is talking about this. Corruption in the West is more dangerous than petty corruption in the East.

[@KentBuchla]

And what of the massive corruption that is also found in the East?

[@Mrac-zz8vh]

@@KentBuchla Like restricting the vaccine market to few producers by law during a pandemic? Oh sorry that was not happening in the east.

[@zenymax8348]

​@@KentBuchlaFighting corruption in the West might stop financing parts of the eastern corruption.. the rest is dictatorship, we cant do anything without their own people and political will

[@ytano5782]

It is not a competition to see who is more or less corrupt. In the end, there is always a loser: the normal population. It was never the battle of East versus West, system A versus system B, or country X versus country Y. It is always the battle of the rich and powerful against the general public, and we always lose.

[@keepsmiling7645]

In the East you've got petty and grand corruption, in the West there's at least no petty corruption, which is a plus

[@liva236muzika]

Once you are exposed to petty corruption, you'll realize just how much of an impact it can have on your day to day life. Doctor won't treat you (in a public hospital, paid by YOUR taxes) unless you pay him. Local municipality won't give you a building permit, unless you pay the guy giving out permits. Local municipality won't build a road to your business, unless you pay the road guy. Btw, all of these examples are from second hand, from an EU country, I didn't make them up. So even though grand corruption is sickening, petty corruption is even more troublesome because it can affect your day to day life profoundly.

[@ivicaanic5213]

Petty corruption is not big issue and is easy to tackle if society decides to fight against it, but real big one is big corruption. West is going down steadily because of it and those societies have less and less capacity to fight it.

[@vaska1999]

Both affect your day-to-day life enormously, though it's only petty corruption that does so visibly.

[@avirbd]

It actually goes much deeper. One of my favourite type of corruption to study is the one wihtout monetary benefit. Where by not doing what you are supposed to do, you don't gain money, but you gain convenicence. For example Bureaucrats using the GDPR as excuse to not advance the digital transformation. They don't earn any money by that, rather it's convenient. So its non-monetary gain.

[@jsphfalcon]

I think the ASPD test should be required for all politicians and military members in democracies

[@MrLoLFaQ]

In Germany it's corruption if you get a McDonald's menu for free as a cop.

[@Sporting1210]

it actually happens quite often on the comunal level. You know, a local construction campany bribes the local major (stuff like that) and goes up to the bigger towns. In Frankfurt we had a major scandal regarding the tax investigation office, where investigators got declared "crazy" and "unstable" and a whole department got desolved (after some years in court, it was said, that the assesments had been done as favours to people high up in the chain - ofc none of those got trialed ever) and another one, where quite a few heads rolled (after an election ofc^^) in the public order office, because they got bribed by local gastronomy onwers (so they would not get checked on unregistered workers for example) and there are quite a few ties to the real estate onwers/buisness in downtown and there for with the local "mafia" ("protection" money is a common thing in germanies big cities and here we have the organised crime around clans and gangs like the hell's angels involved - its really not a joke!). So while yes, Germany gets a slap on the wrists by the OECD every now and then, for the high level corruption this video talks about (not mentioned here, but notorious for being a corruption swamp is the ministry our foreign aid and how this system is organised), we also have the petty, low level corruption. The only thing you will rarely find, is the level of "here are 500 Euros, maybe my application for a driver s licence could be fast tracked? thx" level. So corruption in Germany is a privileg for the wealthy, high level criminals and the big corporations, but there it's basically a given thing.

[@friedaliora5640]

Yes

[@Gravity_studioss]

Also police officers releasing "their colleagues"

[@MrAllstar]

To stop corruption in it’s tracks all they have to do is ban opaque asset ownership. The ownership of assets above a certain value should be accessible and open to any citizen of that country, that would also make extreme wealth that much less desirable.

[@karlik4861]

yes, but youd have to be rich and powerful to pass that law... BUT THEN YOUD NO LONGER BE RICH AND POWERFUL!

[@KIRRAH1]

Same thing happened in UK when Boris Johnson was giving out contracts during the pandemic to his friends especially those who helped him refurbish his apartment with his wife Carrie. innit

[@christophclear1438]

The biggest problem is that voters do not care if individuals are corrupt and actively spend tens on millions of tax payer money on equally corrupt third parties. Instead of wanting them in jail, they elect them chancellor.

[@Azmodaeus49]

Corruption is rife in the west, we do have our western oligarchs too

[@ObeySilence]

Rupert Murdoch is an example of an major Oligarch in the Anglo-American sphere. Without him you can not win elections. He owns Fox, Sky News, The Sun and many other major news outlets. He was also responsible for Brexit as he financed the Brexiteers. For such a manipulation of public opinion there should be death sentence. People like him are the biggest enemies of democracy, even bigger than Russia, China etc.

[@masterlightjames950]

Oligarchy is a Western thing.

[@ericp1139]

The West calls them “entrepreneurs” and “job creators.”

[@Hangman11]

@@masterlightjames950 Sure thing and russia is a heaven of equality where everyone holds hands and sings about solidarity under a rainbow. "a Western thing"

[@SpecialMuppetOperation]

@@Hangman11 By deflecting with comparisons nothing will get solved.

[@makersmark1974]

This subject needs to be louder; turning volume up is never enough.. ..this must be played mandatory by every media outlet..

[@c46236]

Corruption has two main drives: 1)poor overall wealth of the people 2)mental issues of the corrupted The first gradualy disappers as the economy improves, the second gets worse with the economy. While now corruption fight is looking to contain the actions, the fight will be endless and mostly useless.

[@kitersrefuge7353]

You have Switzerland in the heart of Europe. You have Luxembourg with a specially adapted airport terminal and deposit vault for anyone that wants to land, deposit or withdraw and fly out. In the old days, Germans with suitcases full of D-Marks used to just go across the border to Switzerland, deposit, have dinner and drive back. So please, save me this report about "corruption". Offshore onshore countries allowed to operate with impunity. Of course, London warrants a mention, with money laundering as its main attraction for all the Oligarchs...talking of which, Putin's mistress and children are safe and sound in Switzerland. Where there is money, there is someone that will offer safe-keeping services. So I would not stress too much Germany.

[@radhika00240]

Uk had many indian billionaire who steal billions from indian bank share surname with pm modi. Uk is land of thugs.

[@eyeeyeoh]

As a German billionnaire I can say that food in Switzerland is awful

[@gunjangosain8517]

Really surprising DW being a German broadcast servie(as they are claiming while video is running) are showing this video. Just a thought, If DW is talking about money laundering in this video then who are the forces investing money in this video and media house like DW. Nobody is spared in this world of oligrachs.

[@joakimhausswolff9728]

Hehe, yeah it does seem a bit skewed in its presenting. It seem to use tone to imply things, which is far from neutral reporting of facts. Take facts, and spin an underlying tale with visuals and tone. Encouraged by whom? You can see such things from time to time by specific reporters about certain topics.

[@eyeeyeoh]

That’s journalism

[@zsoltszundy2364]

It's a public broadcasting service, owned by the German state and financed directly by German taxpayers

[@daimsaeed]

Bribery in one, lobbying in the other

[@MrKobeFuentes]

When i was msc student in germany, biggest corruption in germany was if you needed a job, you needed referrals, incentives and connections. Same here in kuwait, but here it is called corruption

[@Mohamedibrahim-ou6up]

Its called double standard brother.

[@ulliburwood4706]

That's not corruption it's called due diligence

[@Nyocurio]

I'd rather call that nepotism

[@MrKobeFuentes]

@@ulliburwood4706 yeah ofc name it whatever suits you

[@billcarson818]

@@ulliburwood4706 "Due diligence is a process or effort to collect and analyze information before making a decision or conducting a transaction so a party is not held legally liable for any loss or damage. The term applies to many situations but most notably to business transactions."

[@ruvik1256]

The politician fools (especially the conservative and neo libs) in the Bundestag should be forced to reveal what lobbyists they‘re meeting.

[@sorana6831]

Food for thought: why is the latest scandal,namely Habeck/Graichen heat law, only mentioned in passing? Or Scholz'?

[@mircopaul5259]

Why is Biden not mentioned?

[@sorana6831]

Because he's not German

[@Firzj]

Corruption is everywhere, you just don't see it - no country is a saint. 👍

[@mustaphamond5819]

Well, this is certainly sad and true but doesnt take away the fact that the same type pf sublime and more hidden corruption also exist in the other countries aswell

[@aneeshprasobhan]

DW: Even we're corrupt. Also DW: Send money and weapons to Ukraine, send money to Ukraine. They'll use it wisely.

[@albex8484]

If you publicly show the bank balances of all politicians, it will be 50% fixed. They can see our bank balances, so let's share everything... I'm very against this, privacy is important in all ways. Now there is a disbalance. Governments think they can stick their nose in our business.

[@cantkeepitin]

At least above 10000 Euro. That is the official limit for normal humans

[@kajita2048]

We call it lobbyism here in Germany 😀

[@anonuser2002]

DW News know what they’re doing! Great work.

[@vanbrabant6791]

Als Belgier stelle ich fest, dass die Korruption in meinem Nachbarland, wie auch bei uns, sehr oft fest mit der EU- und sonstigem US-Lobbyismus verbunden ist.

[@TheFlosophie]

GRECO is not EU, it is part of the Council of Europe, which is a separate international organisation.

[@malakatan3235]

When you make it legal, it isn't called corruption, but democracy 😅

[@fritzschnitzmueller3768]

awesome vid. important to shine a light on this

[@busysaru888]

Those who find corruption should get a finders fee, and much should go to other investigators. Make corruption completely unprofitable. People should lose all their assets and go to jail.

[@albex8484]

dont start with a snitch society. That's very bad.

[@forstuffjust7735]

Eastern europe is the best place, we got both street bribe level corruption like developing countries, but also the highclass developed one

[@andrejturan2525]

There is corruption that is not allowed to talk about. The enriching type.

[@3I6M9]

I love DW for this!! Democracy for the win, F corruption.

[@nimenea]

In germany(turkeyland) ,the judge and state made big mistakr. The state ilegally stole a child from its mother because ,a person above the law ,ordered the judge and police to do this. After deciding in court that the child (Pia Seiler) belongs to her mother ,the police and all involved stole her from her school one day. Now ,after brave lawyers proved that the judge and state did this intentionally ( at order from the person above law wich is her father) ,the german state still dont want to give the girl back to her mother ,because then ,it has to admit that Germany (muslimland) does illegal stuff daily and state ,tries to give the girl to her mothet in another way ,that doesnt make the state to admit the illegal stuff. From 2019 to this day ,the girl (Pia Seiller) is not returned to her romanian mother ( Mihaela Seiller). The girl never ever wanted to stay with the father. These criminals involved need to be dealt with.

[@ivan55599]

"Here, here is a very expensive wine bottle, fridge or art as a gift. (l expect similar payment or service from you in return. l just don't ask it straight away, ever.)"

[@MrCODEmaster999]

Find me one country without corruption.

[@VanSteinmeier]

Money

[@archkral]

I like how you explicitly stated you were specifically talking about public sector corruption, nice vid!

The chacellor of Gremany is a criminal

[@smaximus4071]

Crooks are everywhere. Pitty!

[@BobSmith-iq6oo]

That is alarming! Even Germany is corrupted. Times have changed a lot for sho!

[@stevenk1468]

After the politicians legalize the way they make money, then these practices are not called corruption anymore. They just become rich legally.

[@saidabachabergschdaigamuesli]

Ich lieb DW einfach für den guten Journalismus❤

[@sam_asare]

I didn’t know Lobbying was corruption. I guess the essence of capitalism is confused.

[@schwarzarbyter]

how can you talk about corruption in germany and not mention the undisputed queen of curruption Ursula von der Leyen?

[@alarriag1]

In “developed” countries corruption is either legalized to make it look legitimate at the street-level, i.e., with overpaid bureaucrats financed with high taxes or exorbitant service fees, or done at very high levels by the use of specific laws and regulations favoring economic or political interests. Regardless, in both cases, it’s made invisible to most people, but it’s certainly there.

[@jellyd4889]

That is not corruption. Please use a dictionary. Because someone earns a lot or a service is expensive does not imply corruption. If so, then all electricians are currently corrupt.

[@alarriag1]

@@jellyd4889 Electricians charge market rate. Bureaucrats set their income through political negotiation and are paid with tax money. BIG difference. In underdeveloped countries, they resort to bribes. In developed countries they resort to unions. In one case it’s illegal. In the second case, corrupt blackmail has been legalized. Source of the money is the same. In both, a citizen is coerced to pay.

[@hindolbhattacharya9715]

Transparency international measures corruption perception index, perception being the keyword. Petty corruption is more visible to common people and hence increases perception of corruption.

[@hansihintersoos7581]

Lobbyism is just a fancy word for corruption

[@dxxiqx7474]

And yet, most of them don't get accountable for their corruption.

[@AndroidFerret]

Thanks for pointing out !

[@cx5307]

It is difficult to define where corruption begins. Many things I have seen could theoretically be considered corruption, while sometimes anti-corruption laws seem rather unreasonable.

[@antimimoniakos]

For example companies or citizens funding the parties is not corruption in Germany but it is corruption in Greece. BMW made donation to Merkel's party to block the new CO2 standards in EU. Is it corruption or not? In US funding the parties is not corruption.

[@fandyllic1975]

This is just a tactic that corrupt people use to continue and justify their corruption. Bake your corruption into the laws and the line is blurry or disappears completely.

[@shanenicole9552]

Perhaps a reason for this is that the people writing the laws don’t want anyone to look too closely at the authors of the laws.

[@effexon]

@@shanenicole9552also both companies and legislators make unnecessarily complex laws as these help both sides... nobody can look too closely as it is very complex to understand and bigger companies love as no smaller company could ever bid with extremely heavy and complex rules demanding several fulltime people to fill those properly.