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Inequality, good governance, and endemic corruption

Author

Listed:
  • Gil S. Epstein

    (Bar-Ilan University
    IZA
    GLO
    CReAM)

  • Ira N. Gang

    (IZA
    GLO
    CReAM
    RWI)

Abstract

Can a society suffering contests between rich and poor achieve good governance in the face of endemic corruption? We examine a stylized poor state with weak institutions in which a “culture of evasion” damages state authority. Many evade tax payments, limiting the state’s economic development capability. In the face of extensive corruption, it is challenging for the state to establish and implement policies reflecting good governance: for example, a government that is accountable and transparent, efficient and effective, and follows the rule of law. The rich and poor possess different views on what is the appropriate level of enforcing proper payments of taxes due. The government needs to design an effective tax administration policy that minimizes corruption and is sensitive to the present and future needs of society. To do this, it must understand what drives such widespread corruption.

Suggested Citation

  • Gil S. Epstein & Ira N. Gang, 2019. "Inequality, good governance, and endemic corruption," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 26(5), pages 999-1017, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:itaxpf:v:26:y:2019:i:5:d:10.1007_s10797-019-09542-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10797-019-09542-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. Persson, Torsten & Tabellini, Guido, 2002. "Political economics and public finance," Handbook of Public Economics, in: A. J. Auerbach & M. Feldstein (ed.), Handbook of Public Economics, edition 1, volume 3, chapter 24, pages 1549-1659, Elsevier.
    3. Axel Dreher & Christos Kotsogiannis & Steve McCorriston, 2009. "How do institutions affect corruption and the shadow economy?," International Tax and Public Finance, Springer;International Institute of Public Finance, vol. 16(6), pages 773-796, December.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Marwa Khouya & Abdelhay Benabdelhadi, 2020. "Good Governance And Its Impact On Economic Development: A Systematic Literature Review," Post-Print hal-04063762, HAL.
    2. Abdullah Almounsor & Sami Mensi, 2024. "The Relationship Between Financial Development, Institutions Quality, and Income Inequality from the Sub-Saharan Africa Countries," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 14307-14338, September.
    3. Epstein, Gil S. & Gang, Ira N., 2024. "Herding, taxpayer's rent seeking and endemic corruption," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 533-546.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corruption; Tax administration; Governance; Rent-seeking;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation

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