Political Control and Bureaucratic Resistance: The Case of Environmental Agencies in Brazil

• DOI: 10.1017/lap.2023.22
• Publication Date: 2023-10-27T08:56:53Z
• Authors: Katherine Bersch; Gabriela Lotta
• Keywords: Bureaucracy; Meritocracy

ABSTRACT Why does the ability of political leaders to control bureaucracy vary? With strong meritocratic recruitment and tenure protections, Brazil appears an ideal case for successful bureaucratic resistance against control. However, our analysis reveals how Bolsonaro overcame initial by recalibrating strategies, ultimately dominating many key sectors bureaucracy. Drawing on over 100 interviews with public officials, we find that strategies unfold in a dynamic, yet often predictable, pattern based leaders' previous experiences their learn, adjust, tighten grip instruments state. The administration transformed regulatory framework targeted individual state employees, reducing arenas contestation inducing sector workers remain silent, implementing president’s policy preferences. We examine these environmental agencies, replication, potential long-term consequences.