"In Conflict with the Socialist Morals some Employees Demand Various Bribes in Order to Carry Out their Duties…" Leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and Slovakia and Their Attitudes towards Corruption

Corruption, bribery, favouritism, abuse of authority etc. has existed in every society. In Czechoslovakia, the first years after the Second World War when a new regime was built up with the direct participation of the communists, were no exception. Naturally, these phenomena did not stop after the Communist party assumed undisputed control over the government of Czechoslovakia, quite the opposite, unprecedented spread of corruption started.
Following the total destruction of political and economic systems as well as of the system of traditional bourgeois or capitalist ethics, conditions for increase in corruption arose. There was a constant need for shortage goods of everyday use and other articles; quality of the services provided was unsatisfactory, the problem with flats was still an issue, etc.
Although bribery, corruption, favouritism, abuse of authority or power, reactionary attitudes, etc. were officially criticised by the Communist leaders, it was done only in a general manner and they were not the issues of everyday political discourse despite the fact that the corruption was widespread amongst the members of the Communist party. The exponents of the regime accounted for widespread presence of corruption as a hangover of capitalist society and reactionist mentality that should cease once the "socialistic ethics" wins its way. However, creation of the uncorrupted "socialistic man" failed, as most people preferred their individual needs to active participation in "the new society" formation.
Talks about bribery and corruption became more frequent in the beginning of the seventies of the 20th century. These forms were verbally criticised by the Communist party, but the criticism had no influence on the decrease of corruption in the society. Various forms of bribery and corruption, abuse of power and authority had become part and parcel of the life in the socialistic society. Everybody tried to achieve his or her goals by whatever means possible and they took corruption and bribery in the society for granted.