Quid pro quo

Quid pro quo (Latin for "what for what" or "something for something") is used to mean a favour for a favour. Quid pro quo is a legal term for the transaction of valued items or favours, in return for giving something of value. For a contract to be binding, it usually must involve the exchange of something of quantifiable value, however, quid pro quo is widely used in the context of describing political favours, as given in apparent exchange for money. It is also widely known as one of the two legally recognized types of sexual harassment.

For democratic public officials with special powers of government, favours given in quid pro quo constitute a breach of the public trust and a dishonest circumventing of the democratic process for special interests. In the context of political favours, quid pro quo, being secretive, may find widely varied avenues for how such transactions (believed quid pro quo) might take place. Among these are straight favours for cash transactions, political campaign contributions, third-party campaigns and related assistance, and favours for favours (quite common in government). The last, favours for favours, refers to officials of different or equal capacities, each in league with special interests, similar or otherwise; exchanging favours, based on an estimated equality of their value.

See: campaign finance reform, Eye for Eye