Being from the sub-continent, low-level and bureaucratic corruption is a big pervasive problem. Corruption in general. From the lower office peons to the highest officers the rot runs deep. Bribing to even get basic paperwork done is common. How do countries like China and others in the “First World” handle it?
Is it a culture thing? or something else?
It really depends, but we can think of three different forms of corruption:
First, crime. Crime is conflict that forms when needs are not being met by the community. For this, simply attempt to meet the needs of the community, even if it means collective suffering. In Mutual Aid: A factor in evolution, Kropotikin describes the individualistic creatures which manage to survive unusually harsh conditions. While acting selfishly (corruption) allows them to survive while all else die, these individualistic creatures will produce weaker children which will eventually die off. Additionally, those who take care of each other even to their own detriment are more likely tp produce strong offspring.
Next, systemic. This is where most corruption arises. No matter the original cause, be it malice, incompetence, or simply going unnoticed, systemic corruption will be a problem long after the cause is gone. The reason these go unaddressed is cultural. If we fear shame or punishment how can we address the problem. This must be countered, not with pride, but acceptance. Accept that revolution is not an event but a culture, and growth is a sign of life. The first step to solving a problem is admitting that it exists.
Finally, atypical. Most people are good, but some people are assholes. So we shouldn’t create opportunities for assholes to gain enough power to be corrupt.