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The Context for Political Corruption: A Cross‐National Analysis

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  • Xiaohui Xin
  • Thomas K. Rudel

Abstract

Objective. How do we explain variations across nations in the incidence of political corruption? Recent theoretical work locates the causes for corruption in a combination of institutional conditions: monopoly power, little accountability, and wide discretion. This focus on the form of political institutions clarifies the micro‐scale causes of political corruption, but it leaves unanswered questions about the macro‐scale causes of corruption. Methods. This article addresses these questions about the macro scale through an analysis of perceived levels of corruption across nations. Results. Our work identifies poverty, large populations, and small public sectors as contextual causes of corruption. Historically‐based differences in political cultures across broad geographical regions also affect the perceived incidence of corruption in nations. Conclusion. Further research should attempt to link micro‐ and macro‐scale causes together in a single, multi‐scalar model of corruption.

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  • Xiaohui Xin & Thomas K. Rudel, 2004. "The Context for Political Corruption: A Cross‐National Analysis," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 85(2), pages 294-309, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:85:y:2004:i:2:p:294-309
    DOI: 10.1111/j.0038-4941.2004.08502005.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Polona Domadenik & Janez Prašnikar & Jan Svejnar, 2016. "Political Connectedness, Corporate Governance, and Firm Performance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 139(2), pages 411-428, December.
    2. Jamie M. Sommer, 2020. "Corruption and Health expenditure: A Cross-National Analysis on Infant and Child Mortality," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(3), pages 690-717, July.
    3. Neudorfer, Natascha S., 2018. "Commodities and corruption – How the middle class and democratic institutions lead to less corruption in resource-rich countries," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 175-191.
    4. Ronald Keith Gaddie & Kimberly C. Gaddie, 2014. "Special Issue Editors’ Introduction: New Perspectives on Political Participation," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 95(5), pages 1189-1193, December.
    5. Łukasz Goczek, 2007. "Przyczyny korupcji i skuteczność strategii antykorupcyjnych," Gospodarka Narodowa. The Polish Journal of Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, issue 4, pages 33-48.
    6. Héctor Bellido & Lorena Olmos & Juan A. Román-Aso, 2021. "The influence of government ideology on corruption: the impact of the Great Recession," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 38(2), pages 677-708, July.
    7. Marie Rama, 2012. "Corporate Governance and Corruption: Ethical Dilemmas of Asian Business Groups," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 109(4), pages 501-519, September.
    8. Radin, Dagmar, 2013. "Does corruption undermine trust in health care? Results from public opinion polls in Croatia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 46-53.
    9. Ismail Adelopo & Ibrahim Rufai, 2020. "Trust Deficit and Anti-corruption Initiatives," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 163(3), pages 429-449, May.
    10. Saranjam Baig & Cuneyt Yenigun & Khalid Mehmood Alam, 2022. "Political Capacity and Corruption Nexus: Re-Examining Evidence for Developing Countries," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, May.
    11. Mamta Kumari & Nalin Bharti, 2021. "Trade and logistics performance: does country size matter?," Maritime Economics & Logistics, Palgrave Macmillan;International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), vol. 23(3), pages 401-423, September.
    12. Pedro Vieira & Aurora Teixeira, 2006. "Human Capital and Corruption: A microeconomic model of the bribes market with democratic contestability," Notas Económicas, Faculty of Economics, University of Coimbra, issue 23, pages 72-82, June.
    13. Judge, William Q. & McNatt, D. Brian & Xu, Weichu, 2011. "The antecedents and effects of national corruption: A meta-analysis," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 93-103, January.
    14. Laura Langbein & Stephen Knack, 2010. "The Worldwide Governance Indicators: Six, One, or None?," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(2), pages 350-370.
    15. Jamil, Faisal, 2018. "Electricity theft among residential consumers in Rawalpindi and Islamabad," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 147-154.
    16. Jamil, Faisal & Ahmad, Eatzaz, 2019. "Policy considerations for limiting electricity theft in the developing countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 452-458.
    17. Nafisa Halim, 2008. "Testing Alternative Theories of Bureaucratic Corruption in Less Developed Countries," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 89(1), pages 236-257, March.

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