2005 Corruption Perceptions Index

The world is not a nice place to live in. Power corrupts -- not absolutely -- but with such a high degree, that it doesn't really make a difference if it's absolute or not. Transparency International recently published their 2005 Corruption Perceptions Index, and the findings are depressing. "Corruption [is] still rampant in 70 countries." And surprise, surprise, those living in the world's developing nations are hit by a double-whammy: poverty and corruption. If you're living in Chad, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Myanmar or Hati, life most likely suck. The least corrupt countries of the world: Iceland (1), Finland (2), New Zealand (3), Denmark (4) and Singapore (5). The usual suspects for general good behaviour. On the index, Canada ranks at 14 and the United States at 17.

For related information, check out:

1. 2005 Global Corruption Report
2. United Nations Convention against Corruption
3. Explaining the Factors of the Index of Economic Freedom [PDF]
4. The War on Corruption [PDF]