Evaluating determinants of perceptions of corruption in the European Union

Corruption is one of the key problems facing the European Union (EU) as it seeks to integrate the 27 member states into an even more cohesive economic unit during a period of austerity. A number of studies have documented regional patterns of corruption and corruption perception within the EU. Explanations for other variations in perceptions of corruption, however, are left incomplete in the literature. To explain these variations, this author analyzes 2005, 2007, and 2009 Eurobarometer data. This author finds EU-wide increases in the perceived amount of corruption can be linked to the economic downturn. Moreover, exceptional increases can be explained by well-publicized political scandals. In one particularly interesting case, Spain, sizable fluctuations in perceptions of corruption in law enforcement can be associated to the perceived effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts. EU policymakers, who are in the process of structuring programs to reduce corruption, should incorporate these factors into their programs