Bribery and Identity: Evidence from Sudan

Using a unique dataset we are able to examine the determinants of identities in Sudan. We find that identification in Sudan is high and that there is little evidence that such identities compete with one another. In terms of socio-economic variables, poorer people tend to have greater identification. Tribal identification declines with the level of education, as does identity with religion and the Arab world. We also find that being asked for a bribe is associated with significantly lower levels of identity, particularly those linked with the tribe, the state (i.e. a region) and the nation. The evidence suggests that this is consistent with a large literature linking bribery to reduced trust and identification in national institutions and a nascent literature linking bribery to specific personal characteristics. Finally we analyse the probability of being asked for a bribe. *Department for International Development, Sudan, BFPO 5312, West End Road Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 6EP, United Kingdom; email: [email protected] **Department of Economics, University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom; email: [email protected]. [corresponding author]. The authors gratefully acknowledge the funding of DFID Sudan and helpful comments from Cristina Corduneanu-Huci, Tim Hinks, Laura James, and Paul Mosley. The usual disclaimer applies