Abstract:

The aim of this study is to reveal the transformation of corruption into an economic problem in the historical process and the effects of international economic relations (foreign trade and foreign direct investment) on corruption. In accordance with this purpose, the relationship between perceived corruption, measured by ICRG and CPI indices, and foreign trade and foreign direct investment is evaluated through panel data analysis. Within the scope of analysis, the countries are evaluated in four basic categories according to 2017 income classification of the World Bank. The model established for the ICRG index is found significant in low-income countries. In these countries, increase in exports causes increase the corruption. In low-middle income countries increase in imports reduces the corruption while increase in exports causes increasing the corruption in high-middle income countries. In order to assess the impact of the customs duties ICRG and CPI models for the 60 countries that aren’t categorized in 2003-2015 periods have significant results. In both models, it is seen that increase in exports decreases the corruption while increase in customs duties rates increase the corruption.

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