We might define bribery as renumeration for the performance of an act that is inconsistent with the work contract or the nature of the work one has been hired to perform. Bribery interferes with pure market competitions by denying equal entrance to market. Bribery misaligns the ends from the means. Bribery induces the monopolistic characteristics of higher prices, increased waste, compromised quality and cost controls.
Bribery stiffles the evolution of new and better products.
Neither condition exists in theUnited States. The point at which a conflict of interest becomes a bribe is not black and white. The focus for a bribe is on the fact that the value given directly corrupts or perverts the action. The line is crossed when the probability for other outcomes to occur begins to deminish . The size of the payment is directly proportional to whether or not other outcomes may be viable.