CSDC 411

Among the deformities of the democratic system, political corruption is one of the most serious ⁸⁴³ Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 44: AAS 80AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 80 (1988) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1988), 575-577; John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Centesimus Annus, 48: AAS 83AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 83 (1991) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1991), 852-854; John Paul II, Message for the 1999 World Day of Peace, 6: AAS 91AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See) (1991), 381-382. because it betrays at one and the same time both moral principles and the norms of social justice. It compromises the correct functioning of the State, having a negative influence on the relationship between those who govern and the governed. It causes a growing distrust with respect to public institutions, bringing about a progressive disaffection in the citizens with regard to politics and its representatives, with a resulting weakening of institutions. Corruption radically distorts the role of representative institutions, because they become an arena for political bartering between clients' requests and governmental services. In this way political choices favour the narrow objectives of those who possess the means to influence these choices and are an obstacle to bringing about the common good of all citizens.