On Basu's Proposal: Fines Affect Bribes

Abstract

I provide a model that connects the bribe amount with the fines imposed on both bribe-taker and bribe-payer. I show that the proposal of Basu (2011) to not punish bribe-payers to induce whistleblowing does not have to help lower bribes. Higher fines on bribe-takers will make them ask for larger bribes, whereas lowering fines for bribe-paying on bribe-payers might increase their willingness to pay the bribe. An increase in transparency, if achieved, effectively increases both fines simultaneously.