These states did not accept radical concepts such as democracy or popular sovereignty, but they did struggle to professionalise their public services and to reduce corruption and favouritism.
In many major orchestras, a cloth screen may be used at some stages of the audition process, to protect the audition panel from allegations of favouritism or sexism.
Elsewhere, in construction and shelter, there are numerous opportunities for diversion and profit through substandard workmanship, kickbacks for contracts and favouritism in the provision of valuable shelter material.
