Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-2011
Journal / Book Title
World Bank Economic Review
Abstract
Well-functioning institutions matter for economic development. In order to operate effectively, public institutions must also inspire confidence in those they serve. We use data from the Gallup World Poll, a unique and very large global household survey, to document a quantitatively large and statistically significant negative correlation between corruption and confidence in public institutions. This suggests an important indirect channel through which corruption can inhibit development: by eroding confidence in public institutions. This correlation is robust to the inclusion of a large set of controls for country and respondent-level characteristics. Moreover we show how it can plausibly be interpreted as reflecting at least in part a causal effect from corruption to confidence. Finally, we provide evidence that individuals with low confidence in institutions exhibit low levels of political participation, show increased tolerance for violent means to achieve political ends, and have a greater desire to “vote with their feet” through emigration.
DOI
10.1093/wber/lhr018
Journal ISSN / Book ISBN
1564-698X
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Clausen, Bianca; Kraay, Aart; and Nyiri, Zsolt, "Corruption and confidence in public institutions: Evidence from a global survey" (2011). Department of Political Science and Law Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 11.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/polysci-law-facpubs/11
Published Citation
Clausen, B., Kraay, A., & Nyiri, Z. (2011). Corruption and confidence in public institutions: Evidence from a global survey. The World Bank Economic Review, 25(2), 212-249.