Exploring the links between patriarchy, informal networks, and corruption tolerance: Evidence from Kazakhstan

While numerous studies suggest women are less corrupt than men, recent debates highlight the context-dependent nature of this relationship and question whether gender differences persist when opportunities and networks are equalized. This study investigates the micro-level link between patriarchal power structures and corruption using the case of Kazakhstan, a patrimonial nation characterized by entrenched traditional gender norms and pervasive corruption. Analyzing survey data from college students, we show that individual beliefs about gender roles and mobilizable personal networks through which corrupt exchanges can occur—rather than sex per se—predict tolerance of corruption. These findings challenge the notion of women as inherently less corrupt and underscore the importance of addressing patriarchal norms in anti-corruption strategies.