Disruption, continuity and gradualism in Brazilian oil policies: 1995 to 2010

Abstract Problematizing the historical institutionalism tools, this paper aims to understand the changes in the Brazilian oil sector rules. Thus, it analyzes the process that originated the 1997 Oil Act until the approval of the 2010 regulatory framework, showing that such changes occurred by the combination of institutional dynamics: processes that led to ruptures with the status quo, incremental ones associated with processes of continuity with increasing returns. The article contributes to the institutionalist discussion in two points: firstt showing the articulation of institutional strands that are usually applied in isolation - that of continuity and gradualism; and more importantly, it attaches special emphasis to non-institutional elements that explain institutional changes.