Why Do Citizens Accept Paying Bribes? Corruption Tolerance in Latin America

Abstract

In contemporary democracies, the prevalence of corruption is reinforced when citizens tolerate corruption. This study analyzes a particular tolerance of corruption: the willingness to pay bribes. We argue that tolerance of paying bribes is influenced by people’s distrust in the political system’s integrity. Analyzing public opinion surveys conducted in Latin America, we provide evidence that corruption victimization, perceptions of political corruption, and political disaffection increase the odds of expressing tolerance of corruption.