How the long-gone Habsburg Empire is still visible today in public administrations in Eastern Europe

Many parts of Europe were ruled by large empires in the past. After their dissolution did these empires leave behind a legacy of governmental institutions? Sascha O. Becker, University of Warwick, Katrin Boeckh, Regensburg Eastern Europe Institute, Christa Hainz and Ludger Woessmann examine how having been a part of the Habsburg Empire in Eastern Europe still affects the confidence of citizens today in governmental institutions as well as the prevalence of corruption. If one compares people that live in the same country but on different sides of the one-time borders of the Habsburg Empire, those who live on the Habsburg side have more confidence in the courts and the police. It is also less probable that they pay bribes for these public services. This proves that the institutional heritage has not only left a mark on preferences but also influences the actual interaction between citizens and the state.