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Governability and the Logic behind Designations in the Brazilian Federal Prosecution Service: The “Professional Politician Prosecutors”

Abstract:

This article examines the role played by designations within the Brazilian Federal Prosecution Service (MPF). It presents two new developments: (i) reference to a literature focused on the MPF as a space for action regulated by formal and informal rules, marked by conflict and power disputes; (ii) the review of a yet unpublished database on the career of the Prosecutors General of the Republic who have held office since 1988, that serves as a record of individual activity. Since the aspect of governability of the MPF over designations reflects a tension between formal authority and social power, whereas its operation may not coincide with public interest, the ensuing prospects for democracy and the rule of law are problematic, in addition to other issues outlined in previous studies dealing with the Prosecution Service.

Keywords:
prosecution service; governability; designation; discretion; political professionalization; patrimonialism

Universidade de Brasília. Instituto de Ciência Política Instituto de Ciência Política, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro - Gleba A Asa Norte, 70904-970 Brasília - DF Brasil, Tel.: (55 61) 3107-0777 , Cel.: (55 61) 3107 0780 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: rbcp@unb.br