Just like some others, I find some of your corruption thoughts are a mirror of Spain:

This is a scheme of social legitimation of corruption through its apparent democratization.    

The middle age generation in Spain, who lived through the dictatorship, won't blink an eye when they hear that the price of a property is partially on the table and a big chunk of appreciation under the table.  Even young families seem to expect it that way.  

a large part of the merchant class,...  and the fact that they were on the side that triumphed in the civil war,.... created a certain economic mentality that persists to this day, and legitimized corruption as a survival strategy among the masses.

These old habits persist here also and requires cultural change by now, perhaps with public service campaigns about the effects of 'everyone cheating everyone'.  

Our knowledge has surpassed our wisdom. -Charu Saxena.