"Graft and corruption" refer to unethical practices that lead to the advancement of those who are

willing to cheat to get by. These two ideas have been a part of government almost as long as power
structures have existed, as those who are in power use that power to get additional financial and other
advantages.

Technically, corruption covers an entire host of abuses, of which graft is one. Graft and corruption are
charges that are typically leveled at highly-placed government officials, who are able to use public
funds to improve their own fortunes due to increased access, influence, knowledge or power that
comes with an elevated position. An official engaging in bribery, nepotism, embezzlement, extortion or
graft is guilty of abuse of public trust at minimum, and may often be charged with a crime.

Corruption
As mentioned above, the vice of corruption includes many possible acts. According to the Merriam-
Webster dictionary, the word means "impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle." The word is a
noun that dates to the 14th century and is related to the notions of decay and depravity. The denotation
also includes secondary definitions that account for the inducement of wrong in another via bribery, and
notes that corruption is a departure from the original or pure form of a thing or idea.
Graft
Graft is defined as a use of public stature to gain illegal benefit. For instance, a senator who sits on the
armed services committee in the U.S. senate cannot use his knowledge of military contracts to buy stock
in a defense contractor's company. His position gives him unfair advantage over other investors. It is
similar to the notion of insider trading in business.