Reciprocity networks, service delivery, and corruption: The wantok system in Papua New Guinea

In all countries, informal systems of reciprocity influence the distribution of state resources. These social networks help people cope with adversity but can also promote favouritism and corruption, posing a dilemma for development practitioners. Using Papua New Guinea’s wantok system as a case in point, we develop a tripartite model for understanding how reciprocity networks function. This model provides insights into how practitioners can start designing context-specific responses to the challenges associated with informal systems of reciprocity.