Corruption: Epistemological Reflections and Contributions to the Public Sector

Abstract Corruption is a recurring phenomenon throughout history, so different conceptions seek to formulate a concept that defines it. This theoretical essay aims to introduce a perspective that broadens the understanding of corruption beyond the currents of thought that prevail in studies about Brazilian public administration. This study indicates that the epistemic reconstruction of the meaning of corruption should derive from the conception of public interest as a result of deliberative processes between citizens and the State. Such perspective contributes to the debate about the importance of participation of the civil society in controlling corruption and creating public interest itself. This study also highlights that more efficient control is not only restricted to legislation reforms but it also relies on the enhancement civic virtues.

摘要 腐败是贯穿人类历史的反复出现的社会现象，不同学术流派均试图构建可精准界定腐败的概念。本理论研究旨在引入全新视角，突破巴西公共行政腐败研究领域的主流学术思潮局限，拓展对腐败内涵的认知边界。本研究提出，对腐败内涵的认知重构，应立足于将公共利益视作公民与国家间协商进程之产物的核心理念。该视角可为探讨公民社会参与反腐败治理、乃至主动塑造公共利益本身的重要性，提供有益的学术思考维度。本研究同时强调，高效的反腐败管控绝非仅依赖立法改革，更需依托公民德性的涵养与提升。