The Analysis of the Relationship between Objective and Perceptual Corruptions within the Perspective of Generalized Social Trust Component

The relationship between corruption and social trust has been the question of many researchers of the world. In this study, the impact of objective and perceptual corruption on the generalized social trust has been tested based on theoretical literature. Data of "embezzlement, bribery and forgery" and "issuance of default cheque" in the provinces of the country have been selected as the representative of the variable of objective corruption. Also, we have been used different items from the first wave of surveying on the Iranian values and attitudes in order to obtain reliable data on the perception of corruption (mental corruption) and generalized social trust. The relationship between these variables has been evaluated through using the method of ordinary (linear) least squares. A test result shows that there is a negative relationship between corruption perceptions and generalized social trust. In other words, in the provinces where corruption perceptions are high, the level of generalized social trust is low. Given that the relationship between social trust (as a major component of social capital) as well as the improvement of macroeconomic indicators has been proved through the numerous studies and also, based on the findings of the present study, it is concluded that corruption perceptions will reduce the level of social trust, so it can be concluded that the fight against both objective and perceptual corruptions should be placed on the policy agenda simultaneously. In other words, the strength of social trust level in the society will be only occurred when corruption perceptions are reduced.