As we take a long hard look at Lebanese society, we cannot help but grimace at the prevalent corruption. It is a painful reality that corruption is deeply entrenched in our country. Bribery, nepotism and embezzlement are not simply the way we do business, nor only a matter of political economy; they are integrated into our social and cultural norms to the extent where we glorify the cunning Lebanese citizen who manipulates the system. Upon asking a government employee about his income, the half-tragic, half-comedic response is that he usually classifies it under two categories: his salary and everything else he makes “on the side,” as if the latter is an inherent benefit that comes with the job. In response to this national epidemic, the government, civil society and even the private sector are all playing a part in trying to find a cure. But what about our other
