[xxxvi. 39]

1821. April 19. 1822 Aug 9

Constitut. Code

First Lines

On Corruption

\PS\1. corruption what

Taken in the most extensive sense of which it is susceptible - corruption - political corruption - may be said to have place in any case in so far as in consequence of the state of the law in any respect, the interest of any member of the community being placed /finding itself/ in a state of opposition to the interest of the greatest happiness of the greatest number, he yields to the force of that sinister interest, and, by so doing, gives, or endeavours to give, advancement to that same sinister interest, doing, at the same time by that same act, disservice to that same universal interest /to a greater amount/.

In a narrower /less ample/ and more ordinary sense, the use of the word corruption - political corruption - is confined to the case where the individual is considered as standing in the situation of a public functionary.

In a country subject to a mixt monarchy, or to any government in the composition of which, a body of men, considered as representatives of the whole or any part of the body of the people have a share, it is commonly /most/ employed in a still less ample sense, being confined to the case where the individual in question is considered in the character - either of a repesentative of the people, or of a person possessing a vote in the election of some such representative