Shadowflame, you are absolutely right! But even with Police Stations, Courtyards, now even the specialists and even in peace times with Democracy there are too many cities that have dozens of shields wasted and 1 Shield Production. Max Corruption, now 90%. :-(
Courtyards are often not worth their maintenance, you cannot build anything in a reasonable timeframe in border cities - whip them or pay them, otherwise you will wait for ages.
Now I agree that corruption makes sense - but I think if your most outlying cities, think of colonies far away, islands e.g,, are always 90% no matter what you build and invest -> I would be content if they would have around 75% corruption "only" after applying all necessary measures to reduce corruption.
Corruption is the game concept that is necessary, I agree, but it is the one I hate the most.
There are so many different exploits on city placements, bugs... since the beginning.
Have not tested at all right now if corruption is now really much better than before, (bet patch C3C), I hope CIV4 will find a better solution to stop mass expansion to become the best way to play civ...