In a global market shadowed by the politics of terrorism and the institutionalized corruption of whole societies, one can always hope.

FORBES: Sesame Street + Pakistan = Corruption

Dying in 1926, Gertrude Bell left behind a benevolent and effective Iraq government, functioning without institutionalized corruption and intent on equality and peace.

NPR: Excerpt: 'Gertrude Bell'

But civil society and human rights groups say that institutionalized corruption has helped cause the widening gap between the very rich and the rest of society.

CNN: Oil-rich Angola bids to secure future with $5bn wealth fund

But the greatest encounter with reality is when Zar Gul takes us into the world of institutionalized corruption, of whoring, paid-off policemen, of a man who sells his daughter into marriage like a slave.

CNN: ONE MAN'S WAR ON SLEAZE