Corruption may refer to: Putrefaction, the decomposition of recently-living matter. Other meanings of the term use this as a metaphor. Political corruption, the dysfunction of a political system or institution in which government officials, political officials or employees seek illegitimate personal gain through actions such as bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft, and embezzlement. Political corruption's a specific form of rent seeking (not to be confused with property r… (More on Corrupt)