Corruption and the social legitimacy of the welfare state: A comparative cross-national analysis

In addition to reducing the effectiveness of welfare policies, a high level of corruption is argued to undermine the social legitimacy of the welfare state. In the current article, we subject this hypothesis to an empirical test by analyzing data from two rounds of the International Social Survey Program. We find that people have a greater preference for an extensive welfare state in countries where corruption is more widespread. Similarly, at the micro level, perceived corruption is associated with more support for welfare policies, though people who have experienced corruption show less support than others for welfare. The extent of corruption in a country also moderates the effects of two primary determinants of welfare preferences – self-interest and political affiliation.