Rich Brazil, Poor Brazil: The Effects of Corruption on the Country’s Social Development

Abstract

Corruption can be analyzed from various perspectives, but this study aims to discuss Brazil as a country that is rich yet poor and unequal, as a result of the effects of corruption that hinder social development. Although Brazil ranks among the five largest economies in the world, it still occupies the seventh position in terms of social inequality. Brazil is a wealthy country, but the question remains: why is there so much poverty and inequality among its population? One of the answers lies in corruption, which permeates the country and drains public resources, diverting them from their intended purposes of promoting social welfare. Brazil could have fewer people living in extreme poverty, and social inequalities could be reduced if there were less misappropriation of public funds due to corruption. Furthermore, corruption is closely linked to immorality, emphasizing that morality also applies to private individuals, not only to public administrators. Therefore, all individuals share responsibility in both the development and maintenance of corruption, and consequently, all must contribute to combating it.