ABSTRACT
Social conceptions of corruption and misconduct in politics are of interest for several reasons. They have much to do with popular trust (or distrust) of elites and institutions, and they also affect one's own choices as to participation or nonparticipation in politics. Moreover, anyone undertaking reforms would be well advised to consider popular standards of right and wrong before devising anticorruption measures or asking for political support. Opportunities and incentives to short circuit established rules and procedures through the use of corrupt influence will frequently be present in such circumstances, both for public and private participants. Thus it is not surprising that corruption has proven such a persistent political phenomenon, nor that ethical issues have been an important continuing theme in American politics. Idealized pictures of the political process are not the only influences upon a "social definition" of corruption.
