The chain of corruption is a systemic cycle where unethical practices become normalized and self-perpetuating within institutions. It often begins with those in power—politicians, bureaucrats, or business elites—who misuse their authority for personal gain. This creates a trickle-down effect: junior officials, contractors, and even ordinary citizens may feel compelled to engage in bribery, favoritism, or fraud just to survive or compete. As accountability weakens and corrupt actors protect one another through networks of loyalty or blackmail, the entire system becomes resistant to reform. Public resources are siphoned off, services deteriorate, and trust in governance collapses, trapping society in a vicious loop where corruption feeds on itself.
