Incorrupt Nations Fare More Poorly in the Olympics

According to an analysis of the 2012 Summer Olympics, nations within the top 15% to 20% in controlling corruption achieved lower shares of medals, says Todd Potts of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. A possible explanation, he says, is that nations such as Sweden and the UK, with high control of corruption (corruption, in this context, meaning the exercise of public power for private gain, as well as “capture” of the state by elites and private interests), appear to have lower rates of doping among their athletes, as evidenced by lower rates of suspensions and disqualifications for doping violations.