Corruption in Brazil

Corruption in Brazil is a pervasive social problem. Brazil scored 43 on the 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index, tying with Bulgaria and Greece, being ranked 69th among 175 countries.^[1] Corruption was cited among many issues that provoked the 2013 protests in Brazil.^[2]

Corruption is a capital offense^[3] and yet is an important part of Brazil's politics. For years, embezzlement and corruption have been involved in Brazilian elections, and yet the electorate continues to vote for the same convicted politicians.^[4]

Police corruption is also common with gangs made up of policemen, firemen, guards, prison guards, and military soldiers known as militia. Ironically, corrupt police officers usually embark on a life of crime for the same reasons as the drug traffickers: poverty, lack of education and low ambition (poverty even more common among the military).

The militia control some favelas often imposing curfews enforced with violence. The threat of war is always imminent. Drug gangs wanting to rid themselves of rules imposed by the militia, demand that people don’t support the militia. As a result, residents live under a series of complicated and dangerous relationships^[5]

See also

• Crime in Brazil

References