Prosecutors, Voters and the Criminalization of Corruption in Latin America: The Case of Lava Jato

Lava Jato, the largest transnational bribery case in history, shocked Latin American politics. This book explains why the investigation gained momentum in some countries, becoming an anti-corruption crusade. It examines public reactions, finding that prosecutors' unprecedented zeal eroded the tacit consensus around the merits of anti-corruption.

Format: Hardback
Publication date: 06 April 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Lava Jato, a transnational bribery case that originated in Brazil and extended its reach throughout Latin America, caused significant upheaval by upending elections and destabilizing governments. The investigation gained momentum in various countries, while it faced different outcomes in others. This book explores reforms that strengthened prosecutors' ability to combat white-collar crime, transforming Lava Jato into a comprehensive anti-corruption crusade. These reforms were accompanied by the establishment of aggressive taskforces. While some viewed the unconventional methods employed by prosecutors as necessary and justified, others perceived them as threats to due process and democracy. The response from voters to this once-in-a-generation attempt to cleanse politics was complex. Did prosecutors succeed in instilling hope by conveying a message of potential regeneration? Or did the aggressive prosecution erode the tacit consensus around the merits of anti-corruption efforts? Prosecutors, Voters, and The Criminalization of Corruption in Latin America delves into the impact of accountability through criminalization, examining the drivers and complexities of resolute transparency initiatives.

Lava Jato, a transnational bribery case that originated in Brazil and extended its reach throughout Latin America, caused significant upheaval by upending elections and destabilizing governments. The investigation gained momentum in various countries, while it faced different outcomes in others. This book explores reforms that strengthened prosecutors' ability to combat white-collar crime, transforming Lava Jato into a comprehensive anti-corruption crusade. These reforms were accompanied by the establishment of aggressive taskforces. While some viewed the unconventional methods employed by prosecutors as necessary and justified, others perceived them as threats to due process and democracy. The response from voters to this once-in-a-generation attempt to cleanse politics was complex. Did prosecutors succeed in instilling hope by conveying a message of potential regeneration? Or did the aggressive prosecution erode the tacit consensus around the merits of anti-corruption efforts? Prosecutors, Voters, and The Criminalization of Corruption in Latin America delves into the impact of accountability through criminalization, examining the drivers and complexities of resolute transparency initiatives.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009329842