THIS PAPER IS DIVIDED INTO A BACKGROUND SECTION, WHICH DISCUSSES THE THEORY OF CORRUPTION AND DESCRIBES ACTUAL CASES DEALT WITH BY THE COURTS OF FINLAND, AND A CASE STUDY OF A TYPICAL COMMUNE. THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMMUNE IS EXAMINED FROM THE TOP DOWN AND THE POTENTIAL FOR CORRUPTION IS EXAMINED AT EACH LEVEL. THE STUDY IS ILLUSTRATED WITH STORIES OF ACTUAL CASES, ONLY A FEW OF WHICH ORIGINATED IN THE SAMPLE COMMUNE. CONTROLS INSTITUTED IN THE COMMUNE WHICH PREVENTED CORRUPTION ARE DISCUSSED. THE EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION ARE DESCRIBED; THE MOST SERIOUS IS CALLED LOSS OF CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM. POSSIBLE BARRIERS AGAINST CORRUPTION ARE DIVIDED INTO THOSE DIRECTED AT OPPORTUNITY, THOSE DIRECTED AT THE MOTIVATION BEHIND THE OFFENSE, AND THOSE INVOLVING THE DEFINITION OF THE OFFENSE. FOR AN OFFENSE TO TAKE PLACE, ALL INVOLVED MUST AGREE THAT THE ACTION IS ILLEGAL; THIS IS THE PURPOSE OF CODES OF CONDUCT. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL GOVERNMENTAL BODIES DEVELOP SUCH A CODE. THE FINAL SECTION COMPARES SWEDISH AND FINNISH LAWS ON CORRUPTION. APPENDIXES CONTAIN SUMMARIES OF CASES REFERRED TO IN THE TEXT, A RECOMMENDED CODE OF CONDUCT, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY WITH REFERENCES IN ENGLISH, FINNISH AND SWEDISH. (GLR)