Quote Originally Posted by Gilrandir View Post
It may happen the other way around. The example is Georgia. During the USSR times it was considered the most corrupt republic and the situation evidently didn't change with the advent of independence. Only the political will of Saakashvili to change the practice and enforce the existing laws made the crackdown on corruption possible. And it took people awhile to get used to the fact that, for instance, the traffic police don't take bribes anymore.
Then bully for him for making the effort -- should probably qualify as a profile in political courage deal. Yet, if his crackdown had not met with the (apparently surprised) acceptance of such a change, the change would not have "stuck."