Author: Plínio Fraga

Source: Folha de S. Paulo, 04/10/2009

 

Angels
 

PLINY FRAGA
THE RIO BRANCH

The Brazilian has a clear notion of adequate ethical and moral behaviors, but lives under the specter of corruption, reveals an unprecedented Datafolha survey. If the country were the result of the moral standards that people say they approve of, it would look more like Scandinavia than Bruzundanga (the corrupted fictional nation of Lima Barreto), one concludes from this “Portrait of Ethics in Brazil”.

For example, 94% say it is wrong to offer bribes, and 94% agree that it is reprehensible to sell votes - a Scandinavian standard, the northern European region that includes countries like Sweden and Norway, the least corrupt in the world, according to Transparency International.

A country in which voters exchange votes for money, jobs or gifts and believe that their fellow citizens do the same usually; a country in which voters accept the idea that politics cannot be made without corruption; such a country should be a work of fiction, as in “Os Bruzundangas” (Ediouro), book by Lima Barreto from 1923.

But Brazil's everyday practice looks more like Bruzundanga than Scandinavia. Datafolha shows that 13% of the ears admit that they have already exchanged votes for jobs, money or gifts - about 17 million people over 16 in the universe of 132 million voters.

Some claimed to have committed these practices concurrently. Separated by benefit, 10% changed their vote in exchange for a job or favor; 6% in exchange for money; 5% in exchange for a gift.

Of the respondents, 12% say they are willing to accept money to change their electoral option; 79% believe voters sell their votes; and 33% of Brazilians agree with the idea that politics is not possible without a little corruption. For 92%, there is corruption in Congress and in political parties; to 88%, in the Presidency of the Republic and in the ministries.

Political scientist Wanderley Guilherme dos Santos, in an analysis made for Mais !, in an article on p. 5, states that the relevant sociological result of the research is the convergence of opinions on corruption and questions the effects on democracy of what he calls the end of the autonomy of individual consciousness typical of liberalism.
Anthropologist Lívia Barbosa, author of “O Jeitinho Brasileiro” (ed. Campus), believes that, despite economic and social inequalities, Brazilians of the most different age groups, gender and income, educational levels and party affiliations think “ correctly ”about ethics, morality and corruption. “Or we live in Scandinavia and we didn't know and, therefore, we should celebrate; or what we do in practice corresponds little to what we say we do and think it should be done ”, writes Barbosa on page. 9.

People and elite

Political scientist Renato Lessa reissues San Tiago Dantas's maxim: “the people as a people are better than the elite as an elite”. "We are not" bad on the tape ". There is a widespread and consistent presence of moral and ethical markers. We believe we know what corruption is and where and when it occurs. In addition, we are suspicious of others, ”he writes on page 11.

Economist Marcos Fernandes Gonçalves da Silva recalls (page 8) that the perception of gigantic corruption is not a Brazilian phenomenon. It is on the rise in countries as diverse as Argentina, South Korea, and Israel. The collection of kickbacks, especially associated with “small corruption”, is endemic worldwide, he says, an expert on the subject.

In Brazil, 13% heard a request for a bribe, and 36% of these paid; 5% offered bribes to public officials; 4% paid to be seen before in a public health service; 2% bought a driver's license; 1%, diploma.
Among the interviewees, 83% admitted at least one illegitimate practice when responding to the survey (7% acknowledged the practice of 11 or more illegitimate actions, admission considered “heavy”; 28% said they had practiced 5 to 10 actions; 49% had an “light” conduct, with up to four irregularities).

The survey shows that 31% of respondents cheated on tests or competitions (49% among young people); 27% received too much change and did not return it; 26% admitted passing the red light; 14% assumed to stop a car in double line. Of the respondents, 68% bought pirated products; 30% bought contraband; 27% downloaded music from the internet without paying; 18% bought from money changers; 15% downloaded film from the internet without paying.

The richest and most studied are those who have the highest rates of infractions (97% of those who earn more than ten minimums assume they have committed violations and 93% of those who have higher education as well), with 17% of the richest assuming heavy attendance. irregularities (11 or more acts). Among the poorest, 76% assume infractions; of those with only elementary education, 74% say the same.
Despite this, 74% say they always respect the law, even if they miss opportunities. And 56% say that the majority would try to take advantage of themselves, if they had the chance.

Datafolha's research has the merit of focusing on a crucial national problem. A discussion about whether Brazil should follow Bruzundanga.

The work that portrays the Republic of the United States of Bruzundanga was launched in the year following the death of Afonso Henriques de Lima Barreto (1881-1922), author consecrated by books like “Triste Fim de Policarpo Quaresma”.

“The gap between the politician and the population he has to lead is getting deeper and deeper. The nation ends up no longer understanding the mass of leaders, they do not understand their soul, needs, qualities and possibilities, ”wrote Lima Barreto. And he concluded: "A people has the government it deserves".