Trust and bribery

Description

"I study data on bribes actually paid by individuals to public officials, viewing the results through a theoretical lens that considers the implications of trust networks. A bond of trust may permit an implicit quid pro quo to substitute for a bribe, which reduces corruption. Appropriate networks are more easily established in small towns, by long-term residents of areas with many other long-term residents, and by individuals in regions with many residents their own age. I confirm that the prevalence of bribery is lower under these circumstances, using the International Crime Victim Surveys. I also find that older people, who have had time to develop a network, bribe less. These results highlight the uphill nature of the battle against corruption faced by policy-makers in rapidly urbanizing countries with high fertility. I show that victims of (other) crimes bribe all types of public officials more than non-victims, and argue that both their victimization and bribery stem from a distrustful environment"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.

Description

"I study data on bribes actually paid by individuals to public officials, viewing the results through a theoretical lens that considers the implications of trust networks. A bond of trust may permit an implicit quid pro quo to substitute for a bribe, which reduces corruption. Appropriate networks are more easily established in small towns, by long-term residents of areas with many other long-term residents, and by individuals in regions with many residents their own age. I confirm that the prevalence of bribery is lower under these circumstances, using the International Crime Victim Surveys. I also find that older people, who have had time to develop a network, bribe less. These results highlight the uphill nature of the battle against corruption faced by policy-makers in rapidly urbanizing countries with high fertility. I show that victims of (other) crimes bribe all types of public officials more than non-victims, and argue that both their victimization and bribery stem from a distrustful environment"--Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit web site.

Subjects

Series Statement

• Discussion paper ;
• no. 1179
• Discussion paper (Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit : Online) ;

Links

• http://www.iza.org/en/webcontent/publications/papers/viewAbstract?dp_id=1179
• URL

Other Editions

• Trust and bribery: the role of the quid pro quo and the link with crimeElectronic resourceIZA2004-01-01
• Trust and briberyElectronic resourceNational Bureau of Economic Research2004-01-01