Russian President Vladimir Putin submitted a bill to the State Duma on Tuesday banning Russian officials from having foreign bank accounts. This action gives power to the belief that Putin is serious about his first real anti-corruption campaign within his own government. Transparency International ranked Russia the most corrupt major economic and industrial power on the Corruption Perceptions Index, landing it among the likes of Honduras, Iran and Guyana. In Russia, corrupt practices are not new but rather have become part of the country's tradition and culture. This integration stems from many sources. First, Moscow has historically struggled to provide basic goods across the country, generating a strong black market. Second, politicians use corruption practices to control the people and reward the elite, including police or state firm chiefs and ministers. What is a Geopolitical Diary? George Friedman explains .