The article, based on international documents and Russian regulatory legal acts on corruption, explains and substantiates the political nature and nature of corruption. To this end, three dimensions of corruption are revealed: criminological, sociological and political science. At the same time, it is emphasized that the political science dimension is integrative: it contains both criminogenic and social dimensions. Corruption can and should be studied in economic, moral, legal, and other contexts. However, it is crucial to start from the premise that any manifestations of corruption always unfold within the coordinates of the political realm. Corruption is a political phenomenon. The article defines and characterizes the political features of corruption, offering an original perspective on corruption as a phenomenon and concept. Overall, the article attempts to elucidate the relationship between the phenomenon and concept of corruption, and how corruption impacts the institution of state power and governance.