The real corruption and its perception as a political instrument: in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of operation lava jato in Brazil

Abstract

The present article constitutes a partial presentation of a broader research aimed at deepening the understanding of the phenomenon of corruption, particularly focusing on corruption perception. It presents a theoretical approach intended, initially, to demonstrate the existence of multiple variables concerning factors that must be considered to measure levels of corruption in a particular context. This can alter the cognizable perception of what is intended to be expressed when using the terminology "corruption," presenting, without claiming to exhaust the discussion, a fundamental concept capable of conveying an appropriate meaning to the term. Furthermore, the work aims to elucidate that the perception of corruption is not always natural and reflects the corruption itself, being susceptible to manipulation and political interference, bringing as a case study the Lava Jato operation, which took place in Brazil from 2014 onwards, inspired by the Italian operation Mani Pulite. Finally, the article presents some of the economic consequences of Lava Jato, as well as hypotheses justifying these consequences, which can range from a potential ineptitude of authorities to a true distortion of the fight against corruption in favor of shady political interests.