political favors for those donations.

I think the point in the quote of the OP still stands. In some cultures, the "bribe" money is simply business as usual; meaning, that's just how business is done. Not saying it's right, but simply saying when an entire society thinks that it's the norm, the value judgment of wrong is just not there.

I think some of those countries look at the political favors for donations that happens here and wonders why we're all up in arms about this issue of the OP when we allow the favors for donations to take place.

Again, I don't agree with the practices, and I think they're inherently wrong, but I do see their point.