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?
even basic stuff like getting a job in the public sector, you gotta bribe/know the right person to get it. Anything that involves bureaucratic oversight is ripe for bribery. Want to get a passport? Get ready to bribe the policeman who does the “police background check”. Want to get a promotion? Bribe this guy. Want to get alimony from your husband? Bribe this much to the judge. Want to get out of paying alimony? bribe this much to the judge to get the case thrown out or fully delayed.
My grandfather who was a public school teacher had to fight a court case for 10 years to get a promotion he rightly deserved, which he coulda gotten immediately if he had bribed his superiors.
corruption in the west is just masked with lobbying, fees and tax cuts