I think that either the author got it wrong, or its just cheap socialist propaganda.
Corruption is not about buying alcohol and tobacco or avoiding work, it is about becoming dependent on nanny estate to a point of:
a) blindly supporting the populist politicians even if they are corrupt.
b) ignoring the consequences of unsustainable public spending like debt and inflation. (Again, while corrupt bankers and bureaucrats become richer creating a greater inequality).
Corruption is not about buying alcohol and tobacco or avoiding work, it is about becoming dependent on nanny estate to a point of:
a) blindly supporting the populist politicians even if they are corrupt.
b) ignoring the consequences of unsustainable public spending like debt and inflation. (Again, while corrupt bankers and bureaucrats become richer creating a greater inequality).