The Cheating Culture by David Callahan is a interesting read. The main theme of the novel is that society has recently shifted to one in which cheating has become more acceptable. Far from a simple decline in morals, this change is a result of the complex interaction between a move to more winner-take-all situations in society and a recent exclusive focus on drugs and sex by the moral front.

While often completely biased and propagandist, the stories presented are incredibly interesting at showing how cheating in the real world isn't always just a simple moral choice. For instance, if you're an auto mechanic who is told that to increase cost-effectiveness you will now be paid on commission, you might find a few more problems in the cars that you see. You might justify this to yourself by at first only recommending that optional repairs be made, but soon you might expand to suggesting that even repairs that aren't necessary are required. It's a slippery slope and people at all income levels and from all backgrounds, can fall into it.

What's worse is if the general impression of society is that everyone is cheating. If you feel that everyone else is cheating on their taxes, it's much easier to justify it to yourself. Callahan presents evidence that both more people are cheating than they used to and that the perception of the percentage of others that are cheating has also gone up.