This years data is taken from the “Corruption Perceptions Index” (CPI). It lists a country's ranking and score, the number of surveys used to determine the score, and the confidence range of the scoring. The ranking number rates how one country compares to another. A second score indicates the perceived level of public-sector corruption in the country. This is based on 13 independent surveys but not all surveys include all countries. The number of surveys done in any country are disclosed in the data. The confidence range reveals the reliability of the CPI scores and tells us that allowing for a margin of error, we can be 90% certain that the actual score for this country lies within this range. The following are examples of the scores:

The number one country was New Zealand and it scored 9.4 on the CPI with 6 surveys done and a confidence range of 9.1 to 9.5. Chile at number 25 scored 6.7 on the CPI with 7 surveys and a confidence range of 6.5 to 6.9. In contrast Argentina at number 106 scored a 2.9 CPI with 6 surveys and a confidence range of 2.6 to 3.1.

Corruption can be defined as misuse of public power for private gain and it is harmful to everyone whose life, livelihood or happiness depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority. Many people living in a country that is not their own would like to think that corruption will not affect their lives or that they are somehow above it all. The domino effect of corruption is all encompassing. It breaks down democracy and preserves poverty. Who would want to live in a country with social, economic or political turmoil? Corruption compromises national and international security and trade.

According to the 2009 Legatum Prosperity Index, Chile ranks in the top twenty places on variables of both the rule of law and regulatory quality, demonstrating that commercial regulation and legal enforcement are applied with impartiality. Chile is a stable country with a reasonable and manageable level of corruption. When compared to Mexico, the Caribbean, and most other Latin American and South American countries it rises to the top of the heap and is running close behind the worlds most powerful nations. Chile still has people with integrity and this gives hope for the future of the country.

Democracy is important in Chile and the people are not afraid to speak out, protest and have opinions. This is a good thing and part of democracy. People are educated and pro-active and they want transparency for elected officials. Chile's deeply rooted democratic and law-abiding political culture had survived 16 years of repression under Pinochet. Corruption destroys democracy and Chile is not going to stand by and let that happen.