That corruption is part of an evolutionary process the ends of which are presumed to be so beneficent as to more than atone for the existing evils attributable to it 22 Conclusion: The probable future development of corruption in politics, the failure of the apologies for political corruption 37 II. THE NATURE OF POLITICAL CORRUPTION Introduction, definition, etc. 41 Frequent use of the word corruption 41 Legal definitions contrasted with definitions from the point of view of ethics, political science, etc. 42 Verbal difficulties 42 Levity in the use of the word 42 Metaphor implied by the word 43 Distinction between bribery and corruption; between corruption and auto-corruption 45 Tentative definition of corruption 46 Analysis of the concept of corruption 46 Corruption not limited to politics. Exists in business, church, schools, etc. 46 Intentional character of corruption. Distinguished from inefficiency 48 Various degrees of clearness of political duties 51 Consequences of wide extension of political duties 52 Recognition of political duty 55 Legal and other standards 55 The radical view 57 Advantages sought by corrupt action 59 Various degrees and kinds of advantages 60 Rewards and threats 63 Degree of personal interest involved 65 Corruption for the benefit of party 71 Summary 74 III. CORRUPTION: A PERSISTENT PROBLEM OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LIFE Extreme consequences of corruption 81 Less extreme consequences of corruption: recovery from corrupt conditions 82 The continuing character of the problem of corruption 85 Disappearance of certain forms of corruption; changes of form of corruption 88 Subsidies from foreign monarchs 89 Influence of royal mistresses 90