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Direct and indirect influences of political regimes on corruption

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  • Rajeev K. Goel
  • Michael A. Nelson

Abstract

Objective This paper studies the direct and indirect impacts of political regimes on corruption. Whereas the interplay of government is fundamental to corrupt acts, the present research sheds new light by showing the direct and indirect influences of dimensions of government structure on corruption. Methods We employ two different estimation techniques. First, we use OLS regressions, with year and regional dummies. Second, we employ mediation analysis to account for the intermediate role of government size in the relation between government structure and corruption in order to gauge the direct and indirect influences on corruption Results Results show that government structure, across various dimensions of authoritarian and nonauthoritarian regimes, significantly impacted cross‐national corruption. In particular, a nation's stock of democracy and parliamentary systems lowered corruption, while executive tenure and dimensions of authoritarianism added to corruption. On the other hand, the size of the legislature did not matter when it came to corruption. However, the direct influences of these government structure variables are mitigated or reinforced when the intermediate role of government size is considered in a mediation analysis. Conclusions The breakdown into the direct and indirect effects on corruption is a novel insight of this work, with useful policy implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajeev K. Goel & Michael A. Nelson, 2021. "Direct and indirect influences of political regimes on corruption," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 102(4), pages 1569-1589, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:102:y:2021:i:4:p:1569-1589
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13006
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    Cited by:

    1. Salvatore Capasso & Rajeev K. Goel & James W. Saunoris, 2023. "The nexus between corruption and academic freedom: An international investigation of the underlying linkages," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 41(3), pages 513-531, July.
    2. Rajeev K. Goel & James R. Jones, 2022. "Managing the risk of COVID‐19 via vaccine passports: Modeling economic and policy implications," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(6), pages 2578-2586, September.
    3. Folorunsho M. Ajide, 2023. "Institutions and Entrepreneurship in Africa: Does Democracy Matter?," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 32(3), pages 553-589, November.
    4. Rajeev K. Goel & Ummad Mazhar & Rati Ram, 2022. "Dimensions of size and corruption perceptions versus corruption experiences by firms in emerging economies," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 46(2), pages 374-396, April.
    5. Sánchez-Vidal, F. Javier & Ramón-Llorens, M. Camino & La Rocca, Maurizio, 2024. "Corruption and intrapreneurship," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(1).
    6. Graziella Bonanno & Lucia Errico & Nadia Fiorino & Roberto Ricciuti, 2024. "The Impact of Government Size on Corruption: A Meta-Regression Analysis," CESifo Working Paper Series 10956, CESifo.
    7. Goel, Rajeev K. & Nelson, Michael A., 2023. "Women’s political empowerment: Influence of women in legislative versus executive branches in the fight against corruption," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 139-159.
    8. Goel, Rajeev K. & Mazhar, Ummad, 2024. "Cryptocurrency use and tax collections: Direct and indirect channels of influence," Journal of Financial Stability, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    9. Goel, Rajeev K. & Saunoris, James W., 2022. "Corrupt thy neighbor? New evidence of corruption contagion from bordering nations," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 44(3), pages 635-652.
    10. Rajeev K. Goel & Michael A. Nelson, 2023. "Which political regimes foster entrepreneurship? An international examination," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 126-146, February.
    11. Salvatore Capasso & Rajeev K. Goel & James W. Saunoris, 2022. "The Nexus between Corruption and Academic Freedom: An International Examination Using Mediation Analysis," CESifo Working Paper Series 9890, CESifo.

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