Rule of law means that laws apply equally to everyone, including those in power, and that legal processes -- not personal connections or bribery -- determine outcomes; this is distinct from 'rule by law,' where law is simply a tool those in power use to control others while remaining unconstrained by it themselves. Corruption in public institutions commonly takes forms including bribery (paying for a service or decision that should be free or merit-based), embezzlement (diverting public funds for personal use), patronage (giving jobs or contracts based on loyalty rather than merit), and procurement fraud (manipulating government contract bidding). Institutional mechanisms used to counter corruption include independent anti-corruption agencies with investigative power, asset declaration requirements for public officials, freedom of information laws that let citizens request government records, and whistleblower protections that shield those who report wrongdoing from retaliation.