Corruption Perceptions Index 2019 - Executive Summary

United States (US) With a score of 69, the United States drops two points since last year to earn its lowest score on the CPI in eight years. This comes at a time when Americans’ trust in government is at an historic low of 17 per cent, 17 according to the Pew Research Center. The US faces a wide range of challenges, from threats to its system of checks and balances, 18 Brazil Corruption remains one of the biggest impediments to economic and social development in Brazil. With a score of 35, Brazil remains stagnated, with its lowest CPI score since 2012. After the 2018 national elections, which were strongly influenced by and the ever-increasing influence of special interests in government, 19 to the use of anonymous shell companies by criminals, corrupt individuals and even terrorists, to hide illicit activities. 20 While President Trump campaigned on a promise of “draining the swamp” and making government work for more than just Washington insiders and political elites, a series an anti-corruption agenda, Brazil experienced a series of setbacks to its legal and institutional anti- corruption frameworks. 24 The country also faced difficulties in advancing wide-ranging reforms to its political system. Setbacks included a Supreme Court injunction that virtually paralysed Brazil’s anti-money of scandals, resignations and allegations of unethical behaviour suggest that the “pay-to-play” culture has only become more entrenched. 21 In December 2019, the US House of Representatives formally impeached President Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. 22 laundering system 25 and an illegal inquiry that secretly targeted law enforcement agents. 26 Ongoing challenges include growing political interference with anti-corruption institutions by President Bolsonaro, and congressional approval of legislation that threatens the independence of law enforcement agents and the accountability of political parties. COUNTRIES TO WATCH A whistleblower complaint sparked the impeachment process, providing a powerful reminder of the need to protect, and expand, the legal and everyday environment for whistleblowers and to avoid the shame and blame that often ensues if their identities are revealed. 23 Progress in Brazil’s anti-corruption agenda is at risk and mounting impunity threatens to weaken democracy and destabilise the country. Photo: Michael Fleshman https://flic.kr/p/eJrGgh CC BY-NC 2.0 Photo: Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz/Wikimedia Commons CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX 2019 13