Do Elections Reduce or Reinforce Perceived Corruption? Comparative Evidence from Democracies

This study evaluates two competing perspectives on the relationship between elections and corruption perceptions: the accountability hypothesis, which holds that elections strengthen oversight and reduce perceived corruption, and the elite conflict hypothesis, which argues that elections amplify perceived corruption through intensified competition and increased media exposure of scandals. Drawing on Eurobarometer survey data and employing multilevel modeling, the analysis finds support for the accountability hypothesis: perceived corruption declines during election years. Furthermore, this relationship is pronounced in contexts characterized by high electoral integrity and greater freedom of expression.