The Political Economy of Corruption : Causes and Consequences

[摘要] This Note examines the opportunities forillicit gain that exist in all countries.It asks whatfactors determine the size and incidence of bribe paymentsand assesses the political, economic, and distributiveconsequences of corruption.Bribes are paid for tworeasons--to obtain government benefits and to avoid costs.There is little evidence on how often officials, privatefirms, and individuals take advantage of corruptopportunities and on how much money is paid in bribes.Surveys suggest that where corruption is endemic, it imposesa disproportionately high burden on the smallest firm.But,importantly, the most severe costs are often not the bribesthemselves, but the underlying distortions they reveal.Despite the costs of widespread corruption, they are asymptom of disease, not the disease itself.Eliminatingcorruption makes no sense if the result is a rigid,unresponsive, autocratic government.Instead,anticorruption strategies should seek to improve theefficiency and fairness of government and to enhance theefficiency of the private sector.

[发布机构] World Bank, Washington, DC

[学科分类] 社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

[关键词] ANTICORRUPTION;ANTICORRUPTION STRATEGIES;BRIBERY;BRIBES;CITIZENS