Plagiarism Predicts Public‑Service Advantage

A large‑scale analysis of 6 million Chinese dissertations linked higher plagiarism scores to an elevated probability of entering the civil service and to faster early promotions (≈9% faster in first five years), with customs and tax officials showing the largest excess. The pattern was cross‑validated by an independent behavioral test correlating dishonest reporting with self‑reported improbable dice rolls. — If replicated, this reveals a measurable selection and incentive channel that erodes meritocratic recruitment and accountability in public administrations, informing debates on civil‑service reform, hiring transparency, and anti‑corruption policy.