Corruption has become globally endemic. It affects every country, rich and poor, and has become a defining issue of the 21st century. It hits at countries’ souls, destroys lives and deprives society’s poorest of their dignity. Corruption steals resources intended for basic human rights, such as access to food, shelter and education. As social scientist Francis Fukuyama states: "Corruption diverts resources away from the most productive uses and acts like a regressive tax that supports the lifestyles of elites at the expense of everyone else. It incentivises the best and the brightest to spend their time playing the system, instead of innovating or creating new wealth."
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