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The Role of Investigative Committees in the Presidential Impeachment Processes in Brazil and Colombia
Author(s) -
KADA NAOKO
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
legislative studies quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.728
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1939-9162
pISSN - 0362-9805
DOI - 10.3162/036298003x200791
Subject(s) - impeachment , presidential system , accountability , political science , legislature , politics , acquittal , public administration , process (computing) , control (management) , legislative process , law , management , economics , computer science , operating system
One of the most important political debates today regards how to design institutions to ensure the accountability of public officials. The impeachment process is one mechanism of accountability check available to legislatures. It is, however, susceptible to misuse. What determines how the impeachment process functions? In this paper, I argue that control of information by congressional investigation committees is a crucial factor in deciding the outcome of the impeachment process. I show how the difference in information control by the investigative committees in Brazil and Colombia contributed to the removal of a president in one country and a president's acquittal in the other.