E-participation and corruption: Unravelling the role of power dynamics and disinformation

Abstract

E-participation initiatives help combat corruption in nations, but variations in urban–rural distribution of political power and the spread of social media disinformation by governments threaten their effectiveness. Through a cross-country analysis spanning 141 countries, we demonstrate the importance of a pro-rural approach in boosting the impact of e-participation initiatives on reducing corruption. Furthermore, we show that increased transparency and accountability from e-participation discourage governments from engaging in social media disinformation campaigns, ultimately lowering corruption levels. A configurational perspective shows that tackling corruption requires a multifaceted approach, with control of disinformation playing a key role. This study advances our understanding of general deterrence and urban bias theories, emphasizes the need for a multi-pronged approach to fight corruption, and identifies potential obstacles in fully realizing the benefits of e-participation initiatives.