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Knowledge of campaign finance regulation reduces perceptions of corruption
Author(s) -
Avkiran Necmi K.,
Kanol Direnç K.,
Oliver Barry
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
accounting and finance
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.645
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1467-629X
pISSN - 0810-5391
DOI - 10.1111/acfi.12121
Subject(s) - cynicism , legitimacy , language change , campaign finance , politics , perception , political science , public opinion , public relations , public economics , economics , psychology , law , art , literature , neuroscience
We use an experimental survey design to measure how campaign finance regulation influences perceptions of political corruption and trust in politicians when citizens are exposed to information about regulation. Unlike most observational studies, results of this experimental study suggest that knowledge of campaign finance regulation substantially reduces citizens’ perceptions of corruption but has only limited effect on trust in politicians. Findings have crucial implications for public policy. At a time when public cynicism about politics is high, a significant reduction in perceptions of political corruption through successful dissemination of campaign finance regulation would be a boost to the legitimacy of democracies.