“The Corruption Perceptions Index 2013 serves as a reminder that the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery continue to ravage societies around the world. The Index scores 177 countries and territories on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). No country has a perfect score, and two-thirds of countries score below 50. This indicates a serious, worldwide corruption problem. Hover on the map above to see how your country fares…………….”

According to the index, Saudi Arabia is less corrupt than Italy, Greece, Brazil, Argentina and a good chunk of the rest of Europe. All countries with popularly elected governments, beaten by a medieval absolute tribal monarchy owned by one family. Listed as the least corrupt in the Middle East and North Africa (except for Tunisia and Israel), the least corrupt between Japan and the Atlantic Ocean. I must have been underestimating the honesty of all these few thousand of Saudi princes. All these other countries must have more corrupt potentates. These princes and their retainers OWN the whole country, it is even named after their family. How much more corrupt can one get? North Korea is listed as near the bottom, among the most corrupt: it is, but they haven’t yet named the country after the ruling family. Not yet: King Kim would sound comic, more so than King Kong.
It is true: corruption on a small average-person level as well as money laundering is seriously frowned-upon in places like Saudi Arabia. Small bribery is punished, but spectacular bribery is welcomed for those who can afford to pay it. Corruption on a truly large scale, in terms of millions and billions (so where is Bandar these days?), is halal and kosher if one can swing it. Unfortunately not everybody can. Dommage.

Cheers
mhg