Challenges in comparative studies of public security funding in brazilian states

Abstract

This article examines public security funding in five Brazilian states: São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Ceará, Pará, and Rio Grande do Sul. The study presents the budget structures of these states and aims to understand variations in public security spending, as well as the feasibility of comparing such information across the states. The results reveal that public security expenditures are structured differently, reflecting unequal and complex governance systems where similar actors hold distinct significance in each state, notably the state police forces. Furthermore, in addition to the disparities between states, the analyzed budgets vary within a state over the years. Consequently, comparing public security expenditures in Brazil becomes challenging, highlighting the need for standardized accounting practices among states and greater transparency in monitoring relevant actions to combat violence. Lastly, the findings suggest the potential for comparing the correlation between state expenditures and their outcomes, analyzing efficiency and effectiveness.