Corruption? No problem!

Michael Kläsgen comments on public perception of the bribery affair surrounding the French corporate giant Alstom: "You have to look closely to see that Alstom is being investigated at all. ... The French, as meaningless as generalisations may be, apparently have a more relaxed attitude towards affairs, lies and deception, corruption and manipulation. One can only guess about where this serenity - or indifference - comes from. ... If you never reveal other people's secrets you'll never have to lose face yourself, an indispensable maxim runs. ... No wonder that on day two of the revelation, Alstom is still not in the pillory. ... There is no sign far and wide that any action will be taken to straighten things up. ... If a foreign paper hadn't reported on the case, the affair would never have come to light at all. Presumably the same goes for many other affairs."

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