Jessica A.J. Rich

Sheds new light on the drivers of bureaucratic resilience in the face of presidential attacks, an understudied but politically salient topic. Argues that while political advocacy has been recognized as protective against attacks on policy regulation, additional support in the form of resource provision and social activism is crucial during the implementation phase of policy, as demonstrated by the successful Covid-19 vaccination campaign in Brazil, where these factors complement political advocacy to bolster bureaucratic resilience.

Explores how accountability initiatives, intended to reduce corruption, can actually hinder the development of capable government agencies. Highlights a common way public servants escape accountability rules: outsourcing bureaucracies to nonstate organizations.

Explains Brazil’s continued success on AIDS treatment and prevention policy by highlighting the ways in which a powerful, autonomous social movement enables the state to sustain transformative social policies over time.

Identifies a new strategy utilized by national bureaucrats to regulate the behavior of subnational politicians: mobilizing civil society as government watchdog and political advocate.

Examines the role that a social movement’s organizing structure plays in determining the tactics it is likely to adopt. The article illustrates the argument through a case study of Brazil’s AIDS movement, acclaimed throughout Latin America for its ability to pursue hybrid tactics for policy influence.

What are the conditions under which participatory institutions increase the voice of marginalized groups in policymaking? Examining the case of Brazil’s AIDS policy sector, this article argues that to fully understand the dynamics of national participatory governance, we must consider the role of bureaucrats.