Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- 1. Where in the world is corruption most prevalent? / Esteban Ortiz-Ospina and Max Roser -- 2. The founding fathers were corruption fighters / John Joseph Wallis -- 3. Modern-day politics and the abuse of the public trust / Voice of America -- 4. The search for the most corrupt state in the US / Oguzhan Dincer and Michael Johnston -- 5. When is a gift a bribe? / Judy Nadler and Miriam Schulman -- 6. Those with the wealth also have the power / G. William Domhoff -- 7. Wealth inequality data is nonsense / Scott Sumner -- 8. Unleashed campaign spending thanks to Citizens United / Gary Beckner and Richard Posner -- 9. How Citizens United changed the rules of the game / Represent.Us -- 10. Comments on the deeply flawed US electoral system / Andrew Gumbel -- 11. Corruption even worse since the 2016 election / Transparency International -- 12. The roles of fear and relief in fighting corruption / Jermyn Brooks -- 13. Curbing corruption with transparency, tchnology, and more / Augusto Lopez-Claros -- 14. Social media and youth activists in anti-corruption campaigns / Mariana Ceratti -- 15. What could stop corruption in America? / Represent.Us -- Organizations to contact -- Bibliography -- Index.