Corruption Barometer

The third Fundação Francisco Manuel dos Santos Barometer focuses on corruption, with the aim of trying to understand what Portuguese people know and feel about this phenomenon in Portugal.

Comprehending cultural and social attitudes regarding corruption is fundamental not only for assessing the ethical environment of Portuguese institutions, but also for drafting more effective anticorruption policies. Studying this phenomenon and public perceptions may also help contribute to a more informed public debate on a very contentious topic.

• Nine in every ten respondents think that corruption is one of the most serious issues in the country
• One in two feel their lives are affected by corruption every day
• More than half view anticorruption policies as highly inefficient. Those who are highly qualified are particularly displeased with these policies.
• 42% are satisfied with the way this topic is handled in the media, while 36% are dissatisfied. The latter group is particularly concerned about the negative effects of the competition for audiences and profit and sensationalism in the quality of media coverage on the topic.

The results show that politics has a reputational issue given that a considerable part of the public believes that only those who seek personal gain, at the cost of the common good, pursue a political career. Notably, respondents think politics can corrupt even the most honest person. Surprisingly, respondents viewed all political systems – democracies, technocracies and autocracies – as somewhat equally vulnerable to corruption. Nevertheless, they consider that a state that has a strong leader, who is not kept accountable by parliament or election cycles, is more exposed to corruption than a democratic or technocratic state.

Furthermore, according to the results, most believe that all aspects of our social life are somewhat corrupted. Even so, football and political institutions are identified as those most susceptible to corruption. On the other hand, the security and defence forces, as well as the social sector, are seen as the institutions least exposed to corruption
 

Additionally, corruption, as defined by the law, is not the biggest concern of the general public, but rather the collusion between public and private interests at the highest level, which tends to happen under an aura of legality and standard institutional practices. Still, on average, respondents agree that an action has to be illegal in order for it to be considered an act of corruption. In particular, most believe that it is still corruption even if the corrupt action benefits the majority of the population.
Finally, anticorruption policies are seen as ineffective and public opinion believes that it is not the lack of funding that impairs the justice system in the prosecution of corrupt individuals, but rather inept procedures, such as ‘mega’ prosecutions and too many appeals.