The article describes the historical and theoretical grounds of the concept, mostly based on Russian experience and literature. Actual forms of corruption are grabbed in the frame of the systemic change and its consequences, regarding corruption the immanent character of the capitalist world economy, which cannot be eliminated. During the era of the systemic change, the Russian state was itself the main vehicle of corruption, aiming the private acquisition of state property. The author also depicts the apathy of the present Russian society towards corruption