The document discusses the globalization of ethics and compliance, particularly focusing on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) of 1977 and its implications for international business practices. It analyzes the prevalence of bribery, the significant financial penalties imposed on corporations for FCPA violations, and the impact of corrupt practices on firms' valuations. Additionally, it highlights the varying costs associated with bribery, including statistical data on bribe amounts and the repercussions of corruption on competitive business advantage.