D. Acemoglu et T. Verdier, PROPERTY-RIGHTS, CORRUPTION AND THE ALLOCATION OF TALENT - A GENERAL EQUILIBRIUM APPROACH, Economic journal, 108(450), 1998, pp. 1381-1403
We consider an economy where contracts are necessary to encourage inve
stments. Contract enforcement requires that a fraction of the agents w
ork in the public sector and do not accept bribes. We find that: (1) I
t may be optimal to allow some corruption and not enforce property rig
hts fully. (2) Less developed economies may choose lower levels of pro
perty right enforcement and more corruption. (3) There may exist a 'fr
ee-lunch' such that over a certain range it is possible simultaneously
to reduce corruption, increase investment, and achieve a better alloc
ation of talent.