Modern Slavery and Mistrust: A Conceptual Replication of Nunn & Wantchekon (AER, 2011)

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Abstract

Human trafficking is a modern form of slave trading. While we know that it inflicts substantial damage on its victims, its broader societal impact is not well understood. Inspired by Nunn & Wantchekon (2011, AER), we study whether human trafficking shapes interpersonal trust in two severely affected countries for which suitable criminal statistics and survey data are available: Romania and India. We find that victimization rates at the sub-national level are robustly linked to lower interpersonal trust. Our results corroborate those of Nunn & Wantchekon, conceptually replicate them in the economics of crime, and highlight their persistent contemporary relevance.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationMaastricht
PublisherMaastricht University, Graduate School of Business and Economics
Number of pages50
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Sept 2025

Publication series

SeriesGSBE Research Memoranda
Number008
ISSN2666-8807

JEL classifications

  • j47 - Coercive Labor Markets
  • d91 - "Intertemporal Consumer Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving"
  • j83 - Labor Standards: Workers Rights
  • k42 - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
  • o17 - "Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements"

Keywords

  • modern slavery
  • trust
  • human trafficking
  • social cohesion
  • conceptual replication

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