In the Eyes of the Beholder? Understanding Policymakers' Perceptions of Corruption

Most research on corruption attitudes focuses exclusively voters, despite the strategic role of political elites in anticorruption efforts. To fill this gap, we study drivers perceptions among legislators, using comparative longitudinal survey data over 3000 policymakers 18 Latin American countries. We develop a novel theoretical framework based influence motivated reasoning and moderating effect economic context. Our results suggest that legislators supporting government systematically perceive lower levels contexts growth. Conversely, opposition consistently consider an important issue, regardless macroeconomic situation. Since for are dependent context, our show both likely to as relevant issue during downturns, suggesting crises can open windows opportunity reforms.