Corruption and Informality: Complements or Substitutes? Qualitative Evidence from Barranquilla, Colombia

Mehling, Maxie-Lina and Boehm, Frédéric (2014): Corruption and Informality: Complements or Substitutes? Qualitative Evidence from Barranquilla, Colombia.

Abstract

We present results of a qualitative study based on interviews with informal vendors and experts on informality carried out in Barranquilla, Colombia, in order to investigate whether corruption and informality are complements or substitutes. It was found that it is necessary to distinguish between bureaucratic and political corruption when examining the relation with informality, as the results can be opposite. In Barranquilla, bureaucratic corruption and informality seem to be substitutes, while political corruption and informality complement each other.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Corruption, Informality, Colombia
• Subjects: K - Law and Economics > K4 - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior > K42 - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law; O - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth > O1 - Economic Development > O17 - Formal and Informal Sectors ; Shadow Economy ; Institutional Arrangements

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