Pickering, Andrew Christopher orcid.org/0000-0003-1545-2192 and Melki, Mickael (2020) Polarization and Corruption in America. European economic review. 103397. ISSN 0014-2921
Abstract
Using panel data from the US states, we document a robust negative relationship between state-level government corruption and ideological polarization. This finding is sustained when state polarization is instrumented using lagged state neighbor ideology. We argue that polarization increases the expected costs of engaging in corruption, especially deterring marginal low-level corruption. Consistent with this thesis federal prosecutorial effort falls and case quality increases with polarization. Tangible anti-corruption measures including the stringency of state ethics’ laws and independent commissions for redistricting are also associated with increased state polarization.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | ©2020 Elsevier B.V. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > Economics and Related Studies (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 29 Jan 2020 10:20 |
Last Modified: | 19 Mar 2025 00:09 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2020.103397 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2020.103397 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:156212 |
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Description: Polarization and Corruption in America
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