The latest Transparency International Figures on Corruption

The latest Corruption Perceptions Index figures are out. As usual, the sandinavian countries are least corrupt, where as the highly-populated and mostly poor countries of Bangladesh and Chad are most lax about their own rules. Of the noteworthy countries, India ranks 88th with rest of this group

Armenia	2.9	2.5 - 3.2	4
Benin	2.9	2.1 - 4.0	5
Bosnia and Herzegovina	2.9	2.7 - 3.1	6
Gabon	2.9	2.1 - 3.6	4
India	2.9	2.7 - 3.1	14
Iran	2.9	2.3 - 3.3	5
Mali	2.9	2.3 - 3.6	8
Moldova	2.9	2.3 - 3.7	5
Tanzania	2.9	2.6 - 3.1	8

where as United Arab Emirates takes much higher rank with 30th place. United States is in 17th place.

Given the table, I find it hard to see any common occuring themes effecting the performance except the level of living standards of the majority of the population and size of the population. The statement, "Democracy means less corruption due to the checks and balances" can hardly be proven. Regardless of the method of administration in the state level, access to information and education on how to use it define the strength of a strong moral society.