Nepotism, enrichment, and abuse of office - the first comprehensive history of political corruption over four centuries. Corruption is still regarded as an inextirpable evil today. Renowned historian Jens Ivo Engels tells the story of corruption in Europe for the first time in detail. While patronage and the buying of offices were common political practices in the Ancien Régime, they were branded as corruption in the 19th century. However, political networks, privileges, and the connections between business and politics did not disappear, and numerous scandals shook the trust in the new political elite. Ultimately, fascist movements promised an end to these abuses - without ever delivering on that promise. With vivid, enlightening, and sometimes curious examples - from Cardinal Mazarin to Helmut Kohl and Christian Wulff - drawn from the gray areas of political life.