Corruption is a growing global epidemic. Our understanding of its causes is
limited. Combining data from several sources, the current article tests the
validity of social support theory in explaining corruption in an integrated
structural model. The findings support our theoretical speculation: our social
support measure is a strong predictor of corruption in the model. In addition,
undemocratic governments with inadequate checks and balances indirectly
contribute to the high level of corruption in a nation. Democracy promotes human
development and bolsters social support for citizens' wellbeing, both of which
reduce the level of corruption in a nation. Inequality fosters corruption
indirectly through reduced human development and reduced social support. We
conclude that criminologists need not await the determinations of international
legal systems to study scathing behavior, such as corruption.
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