Let’s play: Bribery Games in the U.S. and Germany

Abstract

This article focuses on behavioral differences across cultures in an experimental bribery game that contributes to cross-country comparisons. To answer the question “What affects an individual’s propensity to engage in and punish corrupt actions?”, run bribery games have been run with over 700 students, comparing individual decision-making in the U.S. and Germany. Contrary to the as-sumptions, almost 70% of the Californian participants offered and accepted a bribe. In Germany almost 50% took the opportunity to offer a bribe and 40% accepted one. In the U.S., 52% pun-ished corrupt acts, compared to 80% in Germany. The results can be explained by differences in the level of individualism and by “a cultural transmission of corruption.” This explanation should also imply a society’s ability to build anti-corruption norms.