Louisiana consistently ranks as one of the most corrupt states in the nation. In fact, the Pelican State is the most corrupt state when looking at the most common indicator of corruption: corruption convictions per 100,000. What is less clear about Louisiana is how the state became corrupt. This paper seeks to provide the missing link. I argue that the high levels of corruption in the state can be explained by its origins in French civil law. This historical influence has perverse and persistent effects on the state, despite occurring over 200 years ago. Through these origins in civil law, corruption in Louisiana impacts its economic institutions. These institutions then lead to a variety of other bad outcomes in the state such as a high dependency on oil and low incomes. This argument implies that resource dependency is bad for development only when institutional quality is low. By linking legal origins to corruption, institutions, and economic outcomes, I seek to offer a clearer explanation for why Louisiana sets itself apart from other states in its politically corrupt environment.

中文翻译：

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Laissez les bons temps 轮盘？法国民法对路易斯安那州的腐败、制度和收入的持续影响

路易斯安那州一直被列为美国最腐败的州之一。事实上，从最常见的腐败指标来看，鹈鹕州是最腐败的州：每 100,000 人的腐败定罪率。路易斯安那州不太清楚的是该州是如何腐败的。本文试图提供缺失的环节。我认为，该州的高度腐败可以通过其起源于法国民法来解释。尽管发生在 200 多年前，这种历史影响对国家产生了反常而持久的影响。通过这些民法渊源，路易斯安那州的腐败影响了其经济制度。然后，这些制度会导致该州出现各种其他不良后果，例如对石油的高度依赖和低收入。这一论点暗示，只有在制度质量低下时，资源依赖才对发展不利。通过将法律渊源与腐败、制度和经济结果联系起来，我试图为路易斯安那州为何在其政治腐败环境中与其他州区分开来提供更清晰的解释。