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Endogenous Corruption, Inequality and Growth: Econometric Evidence

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  • Raul A. Barreto

    (School of Economics, University of Adelaide)

Abstract

This paper empirically addresses three questions. First, what is corruption's effect on economic growth? Second, what are the factors that determine corruption? Third, what is the relationship among corruption, economic growth, and income distribution? I use a cross section of countries, both developed and underdeveloped. I find that corruption is an important determinant of both per-capita real growth and of the distribution of income. Corruption is positively and significantly correlated with growth, implying that corruption has efficiency-enhancing qualities. Corruption is positively and significantly correlated with inequality, implying that increased income inequality is associated with greater corruption. The most robust specification, which associates three jointly dependent equations using a two-stage least squares estimation technique, reinforces the proposition that corruption enhances efficiency, justifies inequality's role in determining growth rates, and lends support to the theory of international convergence of growth rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Raul A. Barreto, 2001. "Endogenous Corruption, Inequality and Growth: Econometric Evidence," School of Economics and Public Policy Working Papers 2001-02, University of Adelaide, School of Economics and Public Policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:adl:wpaper:2001-02
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    Cited by:

    1. LABED Lazhar & BOUCENNA Mohammed Ridha & BENZOUAI Mohamed Cherif, 2022. "Analyzing The Impact Of Corruption On Income Levels Disparity Between Countries," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 17(2), pages 160-175, August.
    2. James Danowski & Aaron van Klyton & Tai-Quan Winson Peng & Siyuan Ma & Raphaël Nkakleu & Altante Désirée Biboum, 2023. "Information and communications technology development, interorganizational networks, and public sector corruption in Africa," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 57(4), pages 3285-3304, August.
    3. Dawood Mamoon, 2012. "Economic security, well functioning courts and a good government," International Journal of Social Economics, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 39(8), pages 587-611, June.
    4. Hanen Sdiri & Mohamed Ayadi, 2022. "Does Innovation Foster or Mitigate the Corruption Obstacle? Firm-Level Evidence from Tunisia," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 13(1), pages 367-386, March.
    5. Fakir, Adnan M.S. & Ahmad, Azraf Uddin & Hosain, K.M. Masnun & Hossain, Mostafa Rafid & Gani, Ridhim Sadman, 2017. "The comparative effect of corruption and Piketty’s second fundamental law of capitalism on inequality," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 90-105.
    6. Dawood Mamoon, 2006. "Which Institutions Are More Relevant Than Others in Inequality Mitigation?," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 45(4), pages 893-912.
    7. Soldatos, Gerasimos T., 2015. "A Bilateral Monopsony Approach to Lending, and the Hidden Economy in LDCs," MPRA Paper 66896, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Damir Piplica, 2011. "Corruption And Inflation In Transition Eu Member Countries," Economic Thought and Practice, Department of Economics and Business, University of Dubrovnik, vol. 20(2), pages 469-506, december.
    9. Axel Dreher & Thomas Herzfeld, 2005. "The Economic Costs of Corruption: A Survey and New Evidence," Public Economics 0506001, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    10. Ambar, Rabnawaz, 2015. "Corruption, Inequality and Economic Growth," MPRA Paper 70375, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 2015.
    11. Eatzaz Ahmad & Muhammad Aman Ullah & Muhammad Irfanullah Arfeen, 2012. "Does Corruption Affect Economic Growth?," Latin American Journal of Economics-formerly Cuadernos de Economía, Instituto de Economía. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile., vol. 49(2), pages 277-305, November.
    12. Damir Piplica, 2015. "Corruption and Political View Point of the Governments in Transition Countries EU Members," Asian Economic and Financial Review, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 5(1), pages 73-87, January.
    13. Soldatos, Gerasimos T., 2014. "Bureaucracy, Underground Activities, and Fluctuations," MPRA Paper 60858, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Dwiputri, Inayati Nuraini & Arsyad, Lincolin & Pradiptyo, Rimawan, 2018. "The corruption-income inequality trap: A study of Asian countries," Economics Discussion Papers 2018-81, Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel).
    15. Şerife Özşahin & Gülbahar Üçler, 2017. "The Consequences of Corruption on Inflation in Developing Countries: Evidence from Panel Cointegration and Causality Tests," Economies, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-15, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    endogenous growth; corruption;

    JEL classification:

    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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