Petty corruption experiences and xenophobic violence in South Africa

Abstract

Past studies have shown that corruption can promote conflict and instability. However, the capacity for corruption to influence antiimmigrant violence has received little academic attention. This article examines the relationship between experiences of petty corruption and public participation in violent xenophobic behaviour. It draws on Moral Foundations Theory to argue that corruption experiences undermine the moral inhibitors that prevent an individual from engaging in violence. The study focused on South Africa (where xenophobic violence seems to have accelerated during the last two decades) and used data from the South African Social Attitudes Survey. It found a robust association between the frequency of petty corruption experience and participation (past and intentional) in xenophobic violence. This finding holds even when controlling for variables that capture anti-immigrant sentiment, material deprivation and sociopolitical mobilisation. The article concludes by arguing that reducing xenophobic violence in South Africa will require strengthening efforts to decrease petty corruption.