Corruption and Informality: Complements or Substitutes? Qualitative Evidence from Barranquilla, Colombia
20 Pages Posted: 28 Mar 2014
Date Written: March 26, 2014
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.
Keywords: Informality, Corruption, Colombia
JEL Classification: 017, K42
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation