The article discusses corruption as seen by economists, political scientists, lawyers, sociologists, public administration specialists, and businesspersons. Attempts to combat corruption may have a greater chance of success if it is recognized from the outset the complexity of this phenomenon and the impossibility of eliminating it altogether. In addition to government efforts to combat corruption, there is a need for complementary efforts by business groups such as the adoption of international and domestic codes of conduct and internal systems for compliance with applicable law and codes against extortion and bribery. Anti-corruption efforts might include economic reform, legal and judicial reform, and administrative (civil service) reform. Underlying all reforms is the commitment of reformers, pressure from the civil society that sustains commitment, and the leadership's ability to influence the public; rampant corruption may require a major change in moral behavior. The World Bank can oppose corruption by means of the conditions attached to its loans, assisting borrowing members in curbing corruption, policy lending, technical assistance and sectoral investment loans, bank grants, seminars by the Economic Development Institute, and bank research. References