The private sector and civil society have frequently been ahead of governments in stressing the need for combating corruption. They have a vested interest in doing so. Most of the corruption in a society involves three principal actors, the government, the business community and the civil society. A triangular relationship exists between government, the private sector and civil society.
Corruption can take root in all three parties to the relationship.
Another example of private sector's and civil society's involvement in the activities of the OECD in combating bribery in international transactions include their participation in the evaluation of implementation of the Convention and the Revised Recommendation. Although business and civil society groups do not participate in the formal evaluation process, in order to facilitate frank exchanges between those conducting the evaluation and the government being evaluated, business and civil society representatives have the opportunity to express their views to the Working Group in writing and through informal consultations. With regard to outreach activities, the Working Group's strategy is, too, to involve civil society and private sector representatives.