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Extraordinary Wealth, Globalization, and Corruption

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  • Benno Torgler
  • Marco Piatti

Abstract

The billionaires of the world attract significant attention from the media and the public. The popular press is full of books selling formulas on how to become rich. Surprisingly, only a limited number of studies have explored empirically the determinants of extraordinary wealth. Using a large data set we explore whether globalization and corruption affect extreme wealth accumulation. We find evidence that an increase in globalization increases super-richness. In addition, we also find that an increase in corruption leads to an increase in the creation of super fortune. This supports the argument that in kleptocracies large sums are transferred into the hands of a small group of individuals.

Suggested Citation

  • Benno Torgler & Marco Piatti, 2009. "Extraordinary Wealth, Globalization, and Corruption," CREMA Working Paper Series 2009-04, Center for Research in Economics, Management and the Arts (CREMA).
    • Handle: RePEc:cra:wpaper:2009-04
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    Cited by:

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    2. Chan, Ho Fai & Gangl, Katharina & Supriyadi, Mohammad Wangsit & Torgler, Benno, 2023. "The effects of increased monitoring on high wealth individuals: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in Indonesia," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 215(C), pages 244-267.
    3. Vincent Tawiah & Abdulrasheed Zakari & James Xede, 2023. "Who benefits from corruption; the private individual or the public purse?," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(3), pages 2900-2914, July.
    4. Saibal Ghosh, 2016. "Billionaire Wealth, Firm Performance and Financial Crisis: An Empirical Analysis for India," South Asian Journal of Macroeconomics and Public Finance, , vol. 5(2), pages 133-156, December.
    5. Thomas Goda, 2014. "Global trends in relative and absolute wealth concentrations," Documentos de Trabajo de Valor Público 10897, Universidad EAFIT.
    6. Bosco, Bruno, 2016. "Old and new factors affecting corruption in Europe: Evidence from panel data," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 66-85.
    7. Korom, Philipp & Lutter, Mark & Beckert, Jens, 2015. "The enduring importance of family wealth: Evidence from the Forbes 400, 1982 to 2013," MPIfG Discussion Paper 15/8, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Societies.

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