Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/20419 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2004
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 1179
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
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.
Subjects: 
networks
crime
corruption
JEL: 
D6
O1
K4
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
374.61 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.