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Corruption and Social Interaction: Evidence from China

Author

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  • Bin Dong
  • Benno Torgler

Abstract

We explore theoretically and empirically whether social interaction, including local and global interaction, influences the incidence of corruption. We first present an interaction-based model on corruption that predicts that the level of corruption is positively associated with social interaction. Then we empirically verify the theoretical prediction using within-country evidence at the province-level in China during 1998 to 2007. Panel data evidence clearly indicates that social interaction has a statistically significantly positive effect on the corruption rate in China. Our findings, therefore, underscore the relevance of social interaction in understanding corruption.

Suggested Citation

  • Bin Dong & Benno Torgler, 2010. "Corruption and Social Interaction: Evidence from China," CREMA Working Paper Series 2010-22, Center for Research in Economics, Management and the Arts (CREMA).
    • Handle: RePEc:cra:wpaper:2010-22
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    2. Wang, Li & Shao, Yuhui & Sun, Youxia & Wang, Yanan, 2023. "Rent-seeking, promotion pressure and green economic efficiency: Evidence from China," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 47(1).
    3. Jonathan P. Caulkins & Gustav Feichtinger & Dieter Grass & Richard F. Hartl & Peter M. Kort & Andreas J. Novak & Andrea Seidl & Franz Wirl, 2014. "A Dynamic Analysis of Schelling’s Binary Corruption Model: A Competitive Equilibrium Approach," Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, Springer, vol. 161(2), pages 608-625, May.
    4. Borsky, Stefan & Kalkschmied, Katja, 2019. "Corruption in space: A closer look at the world's subnations," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 400-422.
    5. Chen, Jianxun & Zhan, Wu & Tong, Zhaodi & Kumar, Vikas, 2020. "The effect of inward FDI on outward FDI over time in China: A contingent and dynamic perspective," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(5).
    6. Qu, Guangjun & Sylwester, Kevin & Wang, Feng, 2016. "Anticorruption and Growth: Evidence from China," MPRA Paper 72190, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Günther G. Schulze & Bambang Suharnoko Sjahrir & Nikita Zakharov, 2016. "Corruption in Russia," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 59(1), pages 135-171.
    8. Daniel Gingerich & Virginia Oliveros & Ana Corbacho & Mauricio Ruiz-Vega, 2015. "Corruption as a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Evidence from a Survey Experiment in Costa Rica," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 88334, Inter-American Development Bank.
    9. Qu, Guangjun & Sylwester, Kevin & Wang, Feng, 2018. "Anticorruption and growth: Evidence from China," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 373-390.
    10. 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.
    11. López-Valcárcel, Beatriz G. & Jiménez, Juan Luis & Perdiguero, Jordi, 2017. "Danger: Local corruption is contagious!," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 790-808.
    12. Masoud Khodapanah & Zahra Dehghan Shabani & Mohammad Hadi Akbarzadeh & Mahboubeh Shojaeian, 2022. "Spatial spillover effects of corruption in Asian countries: Spatial econometric approach," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 14(4), pages 699-717, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Awards; Signals; Status; Anonymity; Globalization;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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