Brazilian Anti-Corruption Legislation and Its Enforcement: Potential Lessons for Institutional Design

Abstract

This paper examines the reforms and institutions that have, anecdotally and empirically, demonstrated progress in combating corruption in Brazil. Focusing specifically on the institutions charged with investigating suspected corrupt activities, we contend that institutional multiplicity – the overlap of investigative functions among various governmental entities – has strengthened outcomes by allowing institutions to collaborate, to complement one another, or to compensate for one another’s deficiencies or oversights.

We further argue that our analysis of the Brazilian experience reveals the advantages in pursuing alternative institutional approaches, including institutional multiplicity combined with institutional malleability, in developing strategies to reduce corruption.

Keywords: corruption, Brazil; institutional multiplicity, accountability mechanisms, institutions

JEL Classification: K42