Corruption is a growing global epidemic. Our understanding of its
causes is limited. Combining data from several sources, the current
article tests the validity of social support theory in explaining corruption
in an integrated structural model. The findings support our theoretical
speculation: our social support measure is a strong predictor of corruption
in the model. In addition, undemocratic governments with inadequate
checks and balances indirectly contribute to the high level of corruption
in a nation. Democracy promotes human development and bolsters social
support for citizens’ wellbeing, both of which reduce the level of corruption
in a nation. Inequality fosters corruption indirectly through reduced
human development and reduced social support. We conclude that criminologists
need not await the determinations of international legal systems
to study scathing behavior, such as corruption.