Corruption and the political system in Brazil

Organized by Leonardo Avritzer and Fernando Filgueiras, "Corruption and the Political System in Brazil" fills a gap in the study of the topic. Besides proving that corruption is seen as one of the country's problems by its citizens, the study exposes the institutional mechanisms developed in Brazil over the past 20 years to combat the problem. "This book seeks to present the reader with a more comprehensive understanding of corruption, one that goes beyond its legal-political aspects, but rather serves, above all, as a practical discussion for the improvement and instrumentalization of institutions to control this pathology that erodes the values of democracy," the organizers explain. The texts reflect research conducted at the Public Interest Reference Center (CRIP) at UFMG and some of the institution's partners. The research addresses the issue of corruption through the lens of political culture and institutions. Among other conclusions, it shows that combating the problem has become a state policy, not a policy of private governments. Another important finding is that the proliferation of scandals actually indicates the strength of democratic institutions, not the opposite.