Corruption+in+Africa

'Corruption in Africa Africa's current __poverty__ is rooted, in part, in its history. The __decolonization of Africa__ shaky and uncertain. Since mid-20th century the __Cold War__ and increased __corruption__ and __ despotism __ have also contributed to Africa's poor economy. While __China__ and __India__ have grown rapidly and __Latin America__ has experienced moderate growth, lifting millions above subsistence living, Africa has stagnated and even regressed in terms of foreign __ trade, investment, __ and __per capita income.__ This poverty has widespread effects, including low __life expectancy, violence,__ and instability, which in turn perpetuate the continent's poverty. Over the decades, attempts to improve the economy of Africa have been met with little success. In broad terms, political corruption is the misuse by government officials of their governmental powers for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, like repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Illegal acts by private persons or corporations not directly involved with the government is not considered political corruption either. All forms of government are susceptible to political corruption. Forms of corruption vary, but include __bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft,__ and __embezzlement.__ While corruption may facilitate criminal enterprise such as __drug trafficking, money__ __ laundering, __ and __trafficking,__ it is not restricted to these __organized crime__ activities. In some nations corruption is so common that it is expected when ordinary businesses or citizens interact with government officials. The end-point of political corruption is a kleptocracv, literally "rule by thieves". Corruption is most prevalent in countries without __suffrage,__ with high levels of poverty and income inequality, with weak legal and political __institutions__ and poorly defined __ property rites. __ It often becomes entrenched to help account for gaps in an inefficient or __ developing economy, __ for example, where large sections of the __civil service__ are underpaid. It is not uncommon for blame to fall on individual leaders or political parties, but __ systemic __ corruption in developing nations is usually insurmountable for any one leader or other political actor. Moreover, corruption may even ensure a modicum ofpolitical __ stability __ in the face of factionalized leadership or areas where __power projection__ is weak. What constitutes illegal corruption differs depending on the country or jurisdiction. Certain political funding practices that are legal in one place may be illegal in another. In some countries, government officials have broad or not well defined powers, and the line between what is legal and illegal can be difficult to draw.