MISUNDERSTANDING CAUSATION: Study: Corruption increases and distorts spending by U.S. states.

“Policy makers should pay close attention that public resources are not used for private gains of the few but rather distributed effectively and fairly for various purposes,” they write, arguing that reducing corruption can be a tool to restrain spending as when states struggle to balance their budgets. . . .

In addition to spending more than expected, corrupt states spent more on government activities and services that are susceptible to manipulation for private gain and less on other activities.

Spending isn’t a result of corruption. Corruption is a result of spending. If officials were constrained by law, voters, and necessity to spend on essential services only, then there would be little room for corruption. The scope of government determines the potential scope of corrupt activity.