Oswaldo Enterprises Began to Do Business in a Small East

question 36

Essay

Oswaldo Enterprises began to do business in a small East African nation. The representatives of Oswaldo bid on government contracts. Although Oswaldo was by far the lowest bidder and offered a superior product, the company was not awarded a contract. Oswaldo officials learned after inquiring that the company would have to give substantial sums of money to high-level government officials in order to receive a contract. Oswaldo officials are considering this as a necessary cost of doing business, but they are concerned about violating U.S. law. Discuss the implications of this under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

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Definitions:

Civil Service Act

Legislation that established the merit-based system for selecting government officials and employees, aiming to eliminate corruption by making competence and ethics primary criteria.

1883

The year notable for the United States Supreme Court's decision in the Civil Rights Cases, which significantly limited the rights of blacks to use public accommodations.

Federal Bureaucracy

The collection of all national government agencies and institutions that implement federal laws and regulations.

Military Personnel

Members of the armed forces, including soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, who serve in the military to protect and defend their country.