| Corruption in America: From Benjamin Franklin''s Snuff Box to Citizens United Subjects: Political corruption -- United States -- History; Judicial corruption -- United States -- History; Political culture -- United States; United States -- Politics and government -- Moral and ethical aspects; When Louis XVI presented Benjamin Franklin with a snuff box encrusted with diamonds and inset with the King's portrait, the gift troubled Americans: it threatened to "corrupt" Franklin by clouding his judgment or altering his attitude toward the French in subtle psychological ways. This broad understanding of political corruption--rooted in ideals of civic virtue--was a driving force at the Constitutional Convention. Teachout Zephyr : Zephyr Teachout is Associate Professor of Law at Fordham University. |