Corruption perception in brazil: citizens and public servants

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the perception of corruption among federal public officers in Brazil. We seek to understand how this specific portion of the Brazilian population, which is closer to the sphere of power, evaluates the main political institutions and actors in terms of corruption, in comparison with ordinary citizens. In order to do this, we use two national surveys conducted between 2009 and 2010 by CRIP (Centre of Public Interest Reference). These surveys questioned civil servants and citizens about central aspects of Brazilian institutional life. The premise is that there are differentiated perceptions of corruption and public interest among these groups. The main point is that the perception of corruption in a country impacts the confidence in their own institutions. The judgment that federal civil servants and citizens generally perform about the Brazilian political institutions, can help us to think about strengthening the public interest in our country.