Effects of Gender and Ethnicity on Corruption Perceptions

• In Event: New Frontiers in Identity Politics

Abstract

We know from the gender politics literature that women are perceived to be less corrupt than men. Consistent across these works is the general absence of ethnicity: It is either ignored or women are presumed as coethnics. Yet, we know from ethnic politics scholars that ethnic differences can impede trust. Moreover, ethnic groups vary in their access to political office. I argue women from the hegemon group will be perceived differently (i.e., more likely to be corrupt) than minority women. To test, I field a conjoint experiment in Malaysia – where ethnic Malays are politically dominant and where the long-ruling regime was brought down by a corruption scandal. I find that while respondents are less likely to perceive women as corrupt, this is generally the case if the woman is not Malay. This paper calls attention to the relationship between intersectionality and corruption perceptions – with implications for voting and political inclusion.

Author

• Keith Padraic Chew, Arizona State University