The Political Economics of Trade Openness and Its Impacts on Corruption

Developing countries are exposed to various risks as they open their economies. While becoming more integrated with the global economy and removing trade barriers is expected to improve efficiency in resource allocation and increase welfare, in many countries this does not occur. In addition to the economic consequences of trade openness, its impact on political and institutional structures is significant for developing countries as removing trade barriers in pursuit of trade liberalization can lead to rent-seeking activities. This study investigates the impact of trade openness on corruption using the Augmented Mean Group (AMG) method with data from Turkey and selected MENA countries over the period 1996-2018. The results show that trade openness reduces control of corruption, while economic growth, the rule of law, and public expenditures increase control of corruption. In addition, Dumitrescu-Hurlin's (2012) causality test findings reveal the existence of different linkages between variables.