ABSTRACT
The ample evidence of the negative consequences of resource-rich economies on the quality of development includes the detrimental effect that the resource curse has on democracy. Using public opinion data from internationally comparative sources, this chapter discusses the hypothesis that corruption plays a role in the sharp and potentially dangerous decline in support for democratic regimes in the Andean region. Corruption is tested in relation with institutions, considering not only one specific set of distributive rules or institutions, but democratic convictions as the main framework in which specific institutions are negotiated and exist. The chapter looks at corruption perceptions and democratic support in the Andean countries after the recent economic boom (since 2013). The chapter finds that both increased perceptions of corruption and lower system support appear as the boom-export cycle recedes, suggesting that these negative effects of resource-based economic development takes place at the closing stages of the cycle. Also, the paper shows some evidence suggesting that perception of generalized corruption reduces participation in formal democratic institutions, while it increases the chances that a person participates in informal mechanisms of political participation.
