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The Real State: Inside the Congo's Traffic Police Agency

Author

Listed:
  • Raúl Sánchez de la Sierra
  • Kristof Titeca
  • Haoyang (Stan) Xie
  • Aimable Amani Lameke
  • Albert Jolino Malukisa

Abstract

This paper provides insight into a corruption scheme in Kinshasa's traffic police agency. First, various data collection branches show that the agency's revenue is five times that from fines and is derived from a coalition of traffic police officials, their managers, and judicial police officers scheming to extort drivers. Second, the analysis of an experiment suggests that the scheme subverts service. Third, the scheme appears to be a rational response to the context, but its logic is widespread. The findings suggest that coalitions of officials, while being socially costly, can yield large illicit revenue, nuancing the notion of state weakness.

Suggested Citation

  • Raúl Sánchez de la Sierra & Kristof Titeca & Haoyang (Stan) Xie & Aimable Amani Lameke & Albert Jolino Malukisa, 2024. "The Real State: Inside the Congo's Traffic Police Agency," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 114(12), pages 3976-4014, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:114:y:2024:i:12:p:3976-4014
    DOI: 10.1257/aer.20220908
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Jakob Svensson, 2003. "Who Must Pay Bribes and How Much? Evidence from a Cross Section of Firms," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 118(1), pages 207-230.
    4. Malukisa Nkuku, Albert & Titeca, Kristof, 2018. "Market governance in Kinshasa: the competition for informal revenue through connections (branchement)," IOB Working Papers 2018.03, Universiteit Antwerpen, Institute of Development Policy (IOB).
    5. Duflo, Esther & Glennerster, Rachel & Kremer, Michael, 2008. "Using Randomization in Development Economics Research: A Toolkit," Handbook of Development Economics, in: T. Paul Schultz & John A. Strauss (ed.), Handbook of Development Economics, edition 1, volume 4, chapter 61, pages 3895-3962, Elsevier.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • H76 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Other Expenditure Categories
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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