What does bribery involve?

Bribery primarily involves the act of offering something of value to influence the decisions or actions of an individual in a position of power, usually in a business or governmental context. This can take the form of cash, gifts, or other incentives given with the intent of gaining an unfair advantage, altering the outcome of decisions, or securing favors that would not be available through proper legal or ethical channels. The key aspect of bribery is the intention to influence an official or business decision through improper means.

In contrast, while offering money to ensure loyalty may seem related, it lacks the explicit intent to influence specific decisions in exchange for value, as in bribery. Rewards for employee performance are typically considered part of good management practices or incentive-based compensation, and they do not involve shady dealings or the intent to manipulate official decisions. Payments to settle disputes often fall within legitimate negotiation practices or legal settlements, as they are typically conducted within established frameworks rather than designed to influence an outcome unethically.