Final answer:
High levels of corruption in a country can severely hinder economic development, deter foreign investment, and lead to a misallocation of resources and political instability, which can perpetuate poverty and social unrest.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is one way high levels of corruption affect a country? Corruption can have severe impacts on a country's economic and social structure. One significant effect of high levels of corruption in a country is undermining economic development. This occurs as corruption deters foreign investments, increases the cost of doing business, and leads to inefficient allocation of resources.
It can result in a corrupt system where a few businesses bribe their way into monopolistic positions, stifling competition, innovation, and growth. Furthermore, government resources that are meant for public services and infrastructure development can be misused or siphoned off, diminishing the quality of life for citizens, especially the poor who rely heavily on such services. This weakness in public services and infrastructure can further contribute to political instability, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and social unrest.