The European Journal of Comparative Economics

ISSN: 1824-2979

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EJCE Year: 2024, December. Volume: 21 - Issue: 2

Inter- and intragenerational differences in corrupt behavior: the development of morals after German reunification

by Thorsten Auer, Timo Berg, Christin Hoffmann

Start page: 211 - End page: 264

Keywords: Moral behavior, Corruption, Intra- and intergenerational study, Institutional transformation, Reunification

Jel code: C91

DOI: 10.25428/1824-2979/032

Abstract:

We investigate differences in bribing decisions among two generations from East and West Germany in a bribery game conducted as an online study (N=168). This way, we aim to explore moral considerations of individuals influenced by two formerly different institutional systems. We find a higher propensity to bribe among young Germans compared to the older generation. Young East Germans even reveal a slightly greater inclination to bribe than their West German counterparts. We conclude that preferences for personal favors may be induced among young East Germans given the tense relationship between market opportunities and conveyed cultural traits of a socialist imprint.

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