Immunity and corruption–Part 2

I REPOST THE ARTICLE BY Vasiliki Skreta (New York University) ORIGINALLY POSTED HERE

This is a follow-up on a previous post, which examines the link between politicians’ immunity and corruption. Both posts are based on a new academic study by Karthik Reddy, Moritz Schularick, and Vasiliki Skreta, which provides original and systematic evidence that democracies whose politicians enjoy stronger immunity protection do suffer from more corruption and poorer overall governance. This post summarizes the findings of this study. The summary here.

STABLE LINK OF ORIGINAL: http://greekeconomistsforreform.com/justice/immunity-and-corruption-part-2/

Regarding immunity and corruption – Part 1

I REPOST THE ARTICLE BY Vasiliki Skreta (New York University) ORIGINALLY POSTED HERE

In the wake of the financial crisis and the numerous instances of public malfeasance it revealed, a growing number of commentators have argued for the abolition of the privilege of immunity from prosecution enjoyed by Greek politicians. A new academic study by Karthik Reddy, Moritz Schularick, and Vasiliki Skreta provides original and systematic evidence that democracies whose politicians enjoy stronger immunity protection do, indeed, suffer from more corruption and poorer overall governance. The study’s findings are particularly important at a time when many countries in the world teeter on the brink of economic collapse because their public finances were badly mismanaged. Likewise, movements such as the Arab Spring, the Indignados, and Occupy Wall Street reveal the strong desire of younger generations, who suffer the most from unemployment and lack of opportunity, for greater transparency and accountability in government. The evidence in the study suggests that the legal institution of immunity should be re-examined in established democracies.