Karma is more personal~ Whereas reputation is how the people will know you. For instance, you can be an evil jerk karma-wise, but people will still give you praise because you're the guy who stopped that one psycho from blowing up the water reserves in that one town, even if only it was because you yourself need water.
Can I blow up the water reserves and then blame that 'psycho' and still have the town praise me?
I'm sure we'll be able to commit evil acts secretly and then pass our selves off as the good guy, but what about the opposite?
How neato would it be to be able to play a 'good' character that everyone thinks is the bad-guy.... You go outta town to save the water reserves from being blasted, you even talk the psycho out of doing it... All's well right? You get back to town and the psycho has been spreading rumours that you are stealing the water reserves and selling them the the local raiders... Everyone in town starts giviing you the stink-eye...