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Did Iraq Cheat the United Nations? Underpricing, Bribes, and the Oil for Food Program

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  • Chang-Tai Hsieh
  • Enrico Moretti

Abstract

From 1997 through 2003, the UN Oil for Food Program allowed Iraq to export oil for humanitarian supplies. We hypothesize that Iraq deliberately set the price of its oil below market prices to solicit bribes from oil buyers. By comparing the price gap between Iraqi oil and its close substitutes during the Program to the gap prior to the Program, we find evidence of significant underpricing. Our central estimate suggests that Iraq collected $1.3 billion in bribes from underpricing its oil, or 2 percent of oil revenues. Underpricing is higher during periods of high volatility in oil markets—when detection is more difficult—but declines after the UN limited Iraq's ability to set the price of its oil.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang-Tai Hsieh & Enrico Moretti, 2006. "Did Iraq Cheat the United Nations? Underpricing, Bribes, and the Oil for Food Program," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 121(4), pages 1211-1248.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:qjecon:v:121:y:2006:i:4:p:1211-1248.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/qje/121.4.1211
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    JEL classification:

    • J0 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General
    • K4 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior

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