Political corruption severely undermines democracy by eroding public trust in institutions. It often leads to the misallocation of resources, where public funds are diverted for personal gain instead of being used for social welfare. This corruption can stifle political participation as citizens lose faith in the electoral process, believing that their vote matters less if outcomes are manipulated. Furthermore, corruption can strengthen authoritarian tendencies, as leaders may exploit their power to silence dissent or oppress opposition, resulting in a weakened civil society and diminished accountability among public officials.