The Relationship between Political Corruption and Development

Corruption exists in all countries. The thesis attempts to determine the relationship between political corruption and development by hypothesizing that political corruption impedes development. Initially, the independent variable (political corruption), dependent variable (development), as well as a control variable (state of democracy) are defined. Additionally, statistics pertaining to the variables within one hundred and fifty-six polities are employed through linear regression analyses. Findings of which conclude a statistically significant relationship between political corruption and development exists, however, the control variable is not found to be significant to the first measurement of the dependent variable. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of the respective countries perceived to be least and most politically corrupt and anti-corruption proposals are presented. Implications of the research are that political corruption festers due to a lack of political will to combat corruption, a lack of or inadequate corruption laws, unjust legal protections for certain public officials, and political instability.