Political corruption and legislative complexity: Two sides of same coin?

This paper investigates the macroeconomic impact of legislative complexity in relation to political corruption on growth rate, welfare level and income distribution. After reviewing economic literature on corruption and legislative complexity, an endogenous model is provided. The main theoretical findings of the analysis are that a high level of legislative complexity, like political corruption, constitutes a constraint to growth, reduces the welfare and determines a redistribution of income in favor of the politicians. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that high levels of legislative complexity, similar to political corruption, constrain economic growth, reduce welfare levels, and result in income redistribution favoring politicians.