Highlights

► Corruption is strongly influenced by the path dependence. ► In transition economies, Communist legacy still has a strong influence on corruption. ► A study of sub-national variation of corruption in the Russian regions in 2010. ► Spread of corruption is strongly influenced by the share of the Communist Party members in the region in the 1970s. ► Higher CPSU membership in the past results in higher corruption in the 2000s.