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Modern Slavery and Mistrust: A Conceptual Replication of Nunn & Wantchekon (AER, 2011)

Author

Listed:
  • Cao, Gewei

    (RS: GSBE other - not theme-related research, Microeconomics & Public Economics)

  • Rusch, Hannes

    (RS: GSBE UM-BIC, Microeconomics & Public Economics, RS: GSBE other - not theme-related research)

Abstract

Human trafficking is a modern form of slave trading. While we know that it inflicts substantial damage on its victims, its broader societal impact is not well understood. Inspired by Nunn & Wantchekon (2011, AER), we study whether human trafficking shapes interpersonal trust in two severely affected countries for which suitable criminal statistics and survey data are available: Romania and India. We find that victimization rates at the sub-national level are robustly linked to lower interpersonal trust. Our results corroborate those of Nunn & Wantchekon, conceptually replicate them in the economics of crime, and highlight their persistent contemporary relevance.

Suggested Citation

  • Cao, Gewei & Rusch, Hannes, 2025. "Modern Slavery and Mistrust: A Conceptual Replication of Nunn & Wantchekon (AER, 2011)," Research Memorandum 008, Maastricht University, Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:umagsb:2025008
    DOI: 10.26481/umagsb.2025008
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Armin Falk & Anke Becker & Thomas Dohmen & Benjamin Enke & David B. Huffman & Uwe Sunde, 2017. "Global Evidence on Economic Preferences," NBER Working Papers 23943, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Armin Falk & Anke Becker & Thomas Dohmen & Benjamin Enke & David Huffman & Uwe Sunde, 2018. "Global Evidence on Economic Preferences," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 133(4), pages 1645-1692.
    3. Falk, Armin & Hermle, Johannes, 2018. "Relationship of Gender Differences in Preferences to Economic Development and Gender Equality," IZA Discussion Papers 12059, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Nathan Nunn & Leonard Wantchekon, 2011. "The Slave Trade and the Origins of Mistrust in Africa," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 101(7), pages 3221-3252, December.
    5. Conley, T. G., 1999. "GMM estimation with cross sectional dependence," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 92(1), pages 1-45, September.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J47 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Coercive Labor Markets
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J83 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Labor Standards - - - Workers' Rights
    • 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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