You’re Not Aware of This Corruption — It’s Not About Money
December 6, 2025
Corruption is often imagined as bribes, cash-filled envelopes, or stolen public funds. But today, scholars, legal experts, and real-world events are forcing us to rethink this definition. Corruption is no longer just about money — it also includes deliberate inaction, selective enforcement, and the betrayal of public duty. In this explainer, we unpack how a new idea has quietly entered the meaning of corruption and why it matters for every citizen.
From Susan Rose-Ackerman’s academic work to Bo Rothstein’s theory of impartiality, this episode explores how modern governance understands corruption beyond financial wrongdoing. We look at what happens when the state chooses silence during violence, when officials stand by instead of protecting people, and how this form of corruption can be as destructive as any financial scam.
Through real examples from India’s history and recent years, we examine how this “silent corruption” erodes trust, weakens democracy, and reshapes what it means to be a citizen. When power walks away from the people it is meant to serve, the damage is far deeper than money lost — it’s a breakdown of duty itself. Watch to understand why corruption today is more than what we’ve been taught to see.