Corruption in and of itself is simply bad. Everyone knows that. However, if we are to address this disease with only a patch-up work on an ad hoc basis -- by [seeming to] punishing only a few corrupt individuals -- without addressing the STRUCTURAL problem of corruption, we may never be able to rid ourselves of the disease. From a very brief synopsis of Levitt and Dubner's book (which I will make it a point to purchase and read) provided by Ashu above, I get the feeling that they also focus on immediate "patch-up" redress to corruption. I am not saying that is not good. Yet, while providing immediate disincentives to corruption to control it, we must also seriously work towards long term eradication -- or minimization -- of corruption, by addressing the STRUCTURAL problem of the disease. I believe that the STRUCTURE of corruption in many developing countries -- like many of their other social problems -- are rooted in INEQUALITY. When there exists a structure in which people are forced to compete UNFAIRLY for resources, they would obviously fall prey to corruption, either at the giving or at the receiving end. A truest sense of equal opportunity, therefore, if implemented properly, will gurantee that people would be less inclined to provide bribes to officials for resources and services; and by depriving the corrupt officials of their source of illegal incomes, the society would be more free of corruption. Therefore, in Nepali context, I think the recent moves towards arresting and "looking like punishing" few corrupt individuals are a farce in the name of eradicating corruption. For one thing, the current leadership is relying on populist moves -- which are not sustainable -- to consolidate its powers. For another, the Panchayati-era-type governance only exasperates the predicament of INEQUALITY, which further provides grounds for more corruption in the future, rather than resolving it. It's good to punish the corrupt individuals, but it must be done in a widespread manner without ANY preferences; AND, it must be followed through by genuine efforts to minimize unequal treatment of ALL citizens. To completely rid the society of inequality is a Utopian dream, but attempts MUST be made to minimize it.