Tolerance of Corruption Among Students in Latin America

Abstract

Anti-corruption reforms introduced in Latin America in the last decade require active citizenry. In particular, efforts to strengthen transparency laws assume citizens are able to identify, condemn, and denounce corrupt acts. Thus, tolerance of corruption among citizens is problematic for these institutions. Using data from IEA's International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) 2016, this chapter analyzes which students are at higher risk of tolerating corruption and address how schools may promote the endorsement of anticorruption norms. A series of multilevel models were used to predict tolerance of corruption. The main findings suggest that civic knowledge and endorsement of authoritarianism are the main predictors of tolerance of corruption among students, accounting for 49% of the variance at the population level. In multilevel models, open classroom discussion is negatively related to tolerance of corruption. However, once civic knowledge is entered into the model, the relationship seems to be indirect. This chapter discusses how promoting open classroom discussion and civic knowledge in schools may prevent tolerance of corruption.

A Critical Appraisal of Integrity Clubs in Bhutan

“…They argued that researchers should employ various methodologies to assess their influence on attitudes, behaviors, and experiences to support the promotion of positive values and ethical behavior. Carrasco and Mediano [16] discovered that students with greater civic education are less tolerant of corruption, as it enables them to comprehend the repercussions and denounce corrupt behaviors. Denisova-Schmidt, Huber, and Leontyeva [17] found that higher-class students show a greater acceptance of corruption and informal behaviors, indicating that the higher education system can impact their views on corruption, which could result in adverse effects on society.…”