So do most governments. This reflects the fact that many business people think that bribery in the third world is a fairly innocuous affair. Or Germany's non-wage labour costs. Corruption is not a victimless crime, he says. Over time, argues Mr. Eigen, who has the touch of the Old Testament prophet about him, corruption threatens to reduce a country's entire administration to a Zairian state of decay.
Honest officials give up.
Bribes grow ever bigger and more ubiquitous. Like most saints or zealots, Mr. Eigen sees the world a touch too simply. On the other hand, all three countries would surely be better places if there were fewer back-handers. His first problem is getting people to admit that corruption is a problem. In this respect, Mr. Eigen can claim one success.