Thread by @BrazilBrian

Chile, Brazil & Colombia top the 1st annual edition of our new “Capacity to Combat Corruption” index - comparing 8 Latin American countries’ ability to uncover, punish and deter graft. Venezuela finishes distant last
americasquarterly.org/sites/default/…

Some other indexes measure perceived levels of corruption itself. This one, produced in partnership w/ Control Risks & released today, looks at how effectively countries combat it - measuring 14 variables from independence of judiciary to strength of investigative journalism

Data shows interesting trends - Argentina scores relatively low on independent judiciary, but strong in democracy and civil society. Mexico also strong in latter category. Venezuela miserable across the board

There’s a report on each country. Brazil section notes strong and lively media & civil society, while score on political institutions was low due to poorly enforced campaign finance legislation and fragmented party system

Anyway the purpose here is not to shame countries that did poorly, but to call attention to policies that effectively combat corruption - like independence for prosecutors, protection of investigative journalists, effective regulation of $$$ in politics and so on

This comes out at a time when Latin America’s anti-corruption “movement” - which started around 2014 w/ Lava Jato, La Linea & other cases - is under threat. Because of cynical efforts by establishment to destroy it (Guatemala), and b/c of its own mistakes & tactics (BR)

The key going forward is more emphasis on reforms & institutions, and less on “superhero” prosecutors & judges. This index modestly tries to point the way - we hope it will drive debate. More on methodology, etc, here: americasquarterly.org/sites/default/…

Media around region published stories on CCC Index today:
google.com.br/amp/s/amp.ft.c…
eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%…
mobile.valor.com.br/politica/63163…

Our new anti-corruption index led Mexico’s @Reforma today