--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Until the nineteen-seventies, Western…" description: "\"Until the nineteen-seventies, Western countries paid little attention to corruption overseas, and bribery was seen as an unpleasant but necessary part ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2a/james-surowiecki-2196_attention_until-the-nineteen-seventies-western-cou_3123748.jpg" --- # Until the nineteen-seventies, Western countries paid… ![“Until the nineteen-seventies, Western countries paid little attention to corruption overseas, and bribery was seen as an unpleasant but necessary part of doing business there. In some European countries, businesses were even allowed to deduct bribes as an expense.” quote by James Surowiecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2a/james-surowiecki-2196_attention_until-the-nineteen-seventies-western-cou_3123748.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2a/james-surowiecki-2196_attention_until-the-nineteen-seventies-western-cou_3123748.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2a/james-surowiecki-2196_attention_until-the-nineteen-seventies-western-cou_3123748.jpg) > “Until the nineteen-seventies, Western countries paid little attention to corruption overseas, and bribery was seen as an unpleasant but necessary part of doing business there. In some European countries, businesses were even allowed to deduct bribes as an expense.” [James Surowiecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-surowiecki/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Historically, many Western businesses treated bribery as a normal cost, reflecting a pragmatic but ethically lax approach to overseas corruption. **In simple terms:** Bribery was once seen as a normal business expense. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge outdated corrupt practices. Themes corruption business ethics history Mood critical analytical Type historical commentary When to use this quote - international trade - government contracts - corporate compliance Key Concepts economic incentives legal frameworks Questions to Reflect On - How have anti‑corruption laws changed business behavior? - What ethical standards should guide overseas deals? A Different Perspective Modern regulations now prohibit such deductions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Bribe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bribe/) [Bribery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bribery/) [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Corruption Overseas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption-overseas-5495287/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Deduct Bribes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deduct-bribes-5495289/) [European countries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/european-countries/) [Expenses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expenses/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Nineteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nineteen/) [Overseas Bribery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overseas-bribery-5495288/) [Paid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paid/) [Western](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western/) [Western Countries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/western-countries-621269/) ## Related quotes > [If someone really wants my company's business, why shouldn't he be able to do everything he can - including paying me off - to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-surowiecki/if-someone-really-wants-my-company-s-business-why-shouldn-t-he-be/) [James Surowiecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-surowiecki/) > [When Americans think of college these days, the first word that often comes to mind is 'debt.' 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