Exit or Voice? Corruption Perceptions and Emigration

Abstract Existing research suggests that people concerned about corruption use elections to punish corrupt incumbents. I argue when grow with corruption, they may turn exit rather than voice , using emigration escape corruption. Highly educated citizens in particular, who are most informed and hold valuable human capital, likely see as attractive the face of persistent Using a wealth micro-level data on potential emigration, show perceive widespread more have taken concrete steps emigrate. Advanced degree holders much prepared emigrate response also corruption-concerned emigrants choose less destination countries faith, participate, electoral institutions. My argument findings implications for literature generate new questions relationship between accountability.