The US has received its lowest-ever Corruption Perceptions Index score on the scale set up by Transparency International, a well-respected movement working to end corruption across the world. It joins 47 other countries that have received their lowest-ever scores,

Entrenched corruption and weakening democratic institutions in the region can frequently be attributed to the dismantling of critical checks and balances.

Nonprofit Transparency International released its annual Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranked the U.S. 28th overall in the world when it comes to anti-corruption. The index factors in criteria such as the prevalence of bribery and the degree to which public officials use their positions to benefit themselves.