What is the difference between a "kickback" vs a "bribe?"?

A bribe is something of value given to another to benefit the giver.

A kickback is something of value that goes back to the benefactor as a type of payment for services rendered.

Bribes And Kickbacks

Kickback usually refers to:

Political corruption

It can also refer to:

In the Oil industry kickback refers to a sudden dangerous build up of pressure at the Well head which could lead to an explosion.

A variant of Blackwood convention in contract bridge

An Insecticon character from the various fictional Transformers universes.

Bribe is a form of political corruption

Bribery is a crime implying a sum or gift given alters the behaviour of the person in ways not consistent with the duties of that person. It is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions as an official or other person in discharge of a public or legal duty. The bribe is the gift bestowed to influence the receiver's conduct. It may be any money, good, right in action, property, preferment, privilege, emolument, object of value, advantage, or any promise or undertaking to induce or influence the action, vote, or influence of a person in an official or public capacity.

It is a form of political corruption and is generally considered unethical. In most jurisdictions it is illegal, or at least cause for sanctions from one's employer or professional organization.

For example, a motorist may bribe a police officer not to issue a ticket for speeding, a citizen seeking paperwork or utility line connections may bribe a functionary for faster service, a construction company may bribe a civil servant to award a contract, or a narcotics smuggler may bribe a judge to lessen criminal penalties.

hope you ve found the difference

A kickback is usually contingent on something occurring. Meaning that the kickback comes after the fact, whereas a bribe comes before the fact.

A kickback is a gratuity for doing something (after the fact).

A bribe is money to compel someone to do something.

Although they are different in law, practically they are the same thing.

Morally, no difference. A bribe happens before the fact, and a kickback happens after the fact.

Sometimes they are the same. I certainly wouldn't correct someone who used them interchangeably.

Possibly the difference is a kickback would be a payment for a contract, i.e. a politician that takes a percentage of all government contracts he/she awards. A bribe could be that but it could be more as well such as payment in exchange for leniency for example, giving a cop money so he won't give you a fine.

Yep, a bribe is what you do to GET something, and a kickback is what you GIVE when you GOT something.

"I bribed the cop with 50$ and he tore up my ticket" vs.

"When the chief of police gave my company the contract, I sent him a kickback of a new laptop".

No offense to our fine men and women in blue, it was the first thing I could think of!

I think the bribe comes before some favor; a kickback comes after one.

You would bribe the paperboy to bring you free newspapers. A kickback would be the paperboy giving you money for signing up subscribers.