Final answer:
Corruption among public officials and in business transactions is generally widespread across the world. The negative impact of this corruption includes hindering economic development, undermining the rule of law, and destabilizing governments. So the correct answer is option C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the data from the Global Corruption Report by Transparency International and additional references, the correct statement among the options provided would be that corruption among public officials and in business transactions is widespread across the world (Option C).
Transnational organized crime (TOC) affects government corruption, particularly in weak states where TOC groups often bribe government officials, which negatively impacts economic development, undermines the rule of law, and destabilizes governments. The extensive anti-corruption campaign in China highlights the complexity of corruption in government, where powerful individuals have used their guanxi networks for personal gain.
Additionally, the presence of vast natural resources in a country can lead to the 'resource curse', increasing the likelihood of authoritarianism and corruption, especially when corporate colonialism interferes with local governance and economic distribution, as seen in countries like Turkmenistan. The unsettling transition towards market economies, as observed in Russia, can also brew environments ripe for regulatory corruption, hampering economic growth and development.