Corruption, patronage, and avertable child deaths in developing countries

Many children die of easily preventable or treatable diseases in developing countries. What are the relationships between corruption, patronage, and child mortality in low‐ and middle‐income countries? We argue that corruption and patronage affect child mortality outcomes for some causes of death, especially those that are more easily prevented or treated with affordable care. To test our hypotheses, we utilize cross‐national time‐series analysis of under‐five child mortality in developing countries between 1996 and 2016. Our study finds that patronage and corruption increase under‐five child mortality arising from easily preventable childhood diseases, but they have almost no effect on under‐five child mortality caused by more complex illnesses. Our study underscores the need to examine cause‐specific health outcomes rather than overall health outcomes in comparative health analysis, as the ability of governments to address specific health issues depends on the nature of the problems. Related Articles Ireni‐Saban, Liza. 2013. “Give Me Children or Else I Die: The Politics and Policy of Cross‐Border Reproductive Care.” Politics & Policy 41(1): 5–38. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12004. Lagunes, Paul F. 2012. “Corruption's Challenge to Democracy: A Review of the Issues.” Politics & Policy 40(5): 802–26. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2012.00384.x. Tusalem, Rollin F. 2022. “Does Gendered Representation in National Legislatures Promote Substantive Representation and Human Development? Evidence from the Developing World.” Politics & Policy 50(6): 1096–137. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12503. Corrupción, clientelismo y muertes infantiles evitables en los países en desarrollo Muchos niños mueren a causa de enfermedades fácilmente prevenibles o tratables en los países en desarrollo. ¿Cuál es la relación entre corrupción, clientelismo y mortalidad infantil en los países de ingresos bajos y medios? Argumentamos que la corrupción y el clientelismo afectan los resultados de mortalidad infantil por algunas causas de muerte, especialmente aquellas que son más fáciles de prevenir o tratar con atención asequible. Para probar nuestras hipótesis, utilizamos un análisis de series temporales transnacionales de la mortalidad infantil menor de cinco años en los países en desarrollo entre 1996 y 2016. Nuestro estudio encuentra que el clientelismo y la corrupción aumentan la mortalidad infantil menor de cinco años debido a enfermedades infantiles fácilmente prevenibles, pero