Abstract
This paper explores the effect of state history, measured from 3500 BCE to 2000 CE, on control of corruption. Using cross-country data, we find that the relationship between the capacity to control corruption and accumulated statehood experience follows a hump-shaped (inverted-U) pattern. This result is robust to using alternative measures of state history or corruption, controlling for other measures of early development and contemporary determinants of corruption, and removing outliers.
•We examine the relationship between corruption and statehood experience.•State history is a strong and robust predictor of current-day control of corruption.•Old and new states tend to have higher levels of corruption.•An intermediate length of statehood is more favourable for controlling corruption.