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Decentralization of the Size and Scope of Local Governments and Corruption

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  • Rajeev K. Goel
  • Michael A. Nelson

Abstract

This research adds to the literature on the nexus between government and corruption by examining further the influence of government decentralization on corruption. Previous research has focused primarily on fiscal decentralization. We bring additional evidence to bear for the United States by addressing whether the structure of local governments – measured both in terms of the scope of services offered and the size of the population served – has a bearing on corruption within the state. Results show that government decentralization does not necessarily reduce corruption – the type of decentralization matters. Specifically, we find that more general-purpose governments consistently contribute to corruption. In contrast, the effect of special-purpose governments on corruption is mixed. The findings uniquely flush out the tension between fiscal decentralization and fragmental local government structures in terms of impacts on corruption. Beyond this, we find that the influences of various government enforcement agencies on corruption, including police, judiciary and corrections, vary. Other corruption determinants generally support the literature. Policy implications are discussed.

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Bibliographic Info

Paper provided by ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles in its series Working Papers CEB with number 10-031.

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Length: 35 p.
Date of creation: May 2010
Date of revision:
Publication status: Published by:
Handle: RePEc:sol:wpaper:2013/57625

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Keywords: Corruption; Fiscal decentralization; Local government fragmentation; Special-purpose government; General-purpose government;

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Cited by:
  1. repec:ays:ispwps:paper1217 is not listed on IDEAS
  2. James E. Alt & David Dreyer Lassen, 2010. "Enforcement and Public Corruption: Evidence from US States," EPRU Working Paper Series 2010-08, Economic Policy Research Unit (EPRU), University of Copenhagen. Department of Economics.
  3. Michael A. Nelson, 2012. "Corruption and the Size of Local Governments: Are They Related?," International Center for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU paper1210, International Center for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University.

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