Work

Mining and mistrust in government

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Natural resource extraction can undermine institutions through its negative impact on corruption and public goods provision, potentially affecting individual trust in local government. We examine this conjecture by combining geo-referenced survey data with spatial data on mine locations across 28 post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Using information on the development status of mineral reserves, we employ a cross-sectional difference-in-differences approach comparing individuals living near active versus not-yet-active mines. Our findings reveal a robust negative relationship between mining production and trust in local government. Analysis of mechanisms indicates that corruption perceptions and practices primarily drive this relationship. While examining alternative non-institutional channels, we find that environmental concerns may also contribute to government mistrust in specific contexts.

Source: European Economic Review

DOI: 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2025.105002

Authors: Astghik Mavisakalyan, Anna Minasyan

Institutions: Curtin University, University of Groningen

Language: English

Topic: Natural Resources and Economic Development

Subfield: General Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,690