Revisiting the role of religion on corruption

Abstract

This paper replicates Dincer's research on religious and ethnic diversity, focusing on recent years and utilizing polarization and fractionalization measures. The study explores the potential nonlinear relationship between religious and ethnic polarization with corruption and tests for cubic relationships in addition to Dincer's quadratic fractionalization model. The results reveal significant findings for religious polarization, challenging Dincer's linear perspective. It suggests that religiocentric behavior can occur in both strongly and weakly polarized societies. Strong religious polarization is associated with high corruption due to politicians favoring their religious supporters, leading to continued support even in the face of corruption allegations. Additionally, societies with the lowest religious polarization levels may exhibit high corruption due to a strong government-church connection, allowing corruption to persist unchecked. These findings highlight the intricate dynamics between diversity, polarization, and corruption, offering insights for further research and nuanced policy interventions.