Corruption and Weak Institutions

Abstract

Corruption practices seem to be entrenched within the Latin American political system; they are the consequence of weak institutions and a casuistic implementation of the law. Latin American’s perceptions of corruption in most State institutions reach very high levels; these perceptions are negatively associated to people’s satisfaction with life. Latin Americans are also used to pay bribes to public officers and this seems to reduce well-being; however, some people may find that bribes facilitate the access to public services with a corresponding well-being increase.