Informal Institutions and Democracy: Corruption, Clientelism, and Organized Crime in Latin America and Eastern Europe

Abstract

The paper explores patterns of informal behavior like corruption, clientelism, and violence and violence threats by organized crime. In societies where they are widely practised, we can speak of informal institutions. Approaches of measuring corruption, clientelism, and organized crime are discussed, and a combined index of "bad informal institutions" is created for the young democracies in Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Keywords: Corruuption, Clientelism, Organized Crime, Latin America, Eastern Europa