Political corruption comes at a heavy price. According to research carried out by one university, almost two hundred billion dollars has been stolen from the coffers of thirty African countries by corrupt government officials in the period between 1970 and 1996. This is said to be one reason why these countries continue to lag behind economically. Nigeria is said to have lost four hundred billion dollars in the period lying between 1960 and 1999.

The exercise seriously undermines good governance, whether in the public or private spheres. Elections are manipulated, resulting in kleptocrats gaining or retaining power. It also blunts the sting of accountability, ensuring that illegal practices go on with no questions being asked. Investigators are paid off, exiled or killed. Courts stop being reliable, subverting the rule of law. Provision of services becomes nonexistent, or available only to those who can pay for them.

Bribery also affects private business. The practice ensures that only those firms and businessmen that are willing to give kickbacks get to conduct business. Contracts are won fraudulently, and the quality of what is delivered cannot be guaranteed. The cost of goods and services increases significantly, as any bribes given have to be factored into their price. It also encourages corrupt officials to contrive new rules and delays for those who fail to toe the line.

Bribery facilitates the destruction of the environment. It becomes difficult to enact laws that help protect it, particularly if they are at odds with the powers that be. Even where such legislation is available, there is no guarantee it will be enforced. It is actually common for countries where this practice is rife for Eco friendly regulations to be flouted with abandon.

The practice can lead to a variety of negative social effects. Since labor laws cannot be enforced effectively, employee rights are be violated with impunity. Countries where bribery is rife struggle with labor unrest, as employees feel that there is no other way for their grievances to be heard. The same practice can lead to famine, or make it worse; national food reserves are sold off corruptly, as is any food aid.

Transparency International, an organization dedicated to fighting bribery around the world, has classified this practice into a number of categories. The first one is patronage; this is what many election winners do when they reward their supporters and followers on the basis of their loyalty rather than merit. The danger in this is that qualified individuals or organizations may be passed over.

Nepotism and cronyism refers to the practice of favoring relatives and friends for jobs and contracts, a practice that is similar to patronage. Sometimes this involves bribery, such as requiring an organization to employ a relative so that it can get a contract. Old boys networks also fall into this category, as favors are done for those who belong to certain groups only.

Influence peddling refers to the practice of seeking or taking money or other favors in order to ensure that decisions are made in the bribe givers favor. For instance, members of a committee scrutinizing tender documents may take cash in order to ensure that contracts are won by a certain individual or organization. These are some of the ways in which political corruption is classified.