Russia's Putin and Brazil's Lula : The Relationship between Positive Leadership Strategy and Corruption

What is the relationship between good leadership and corruption? In this paper, I will compare the leadership characteristics and corruption scandals of Vladimir Putin and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to understand the role leadership and corruption played in the continuous support of the two leaders. The abundance of similarities between the economic and political conditions of the two states as well the characteristics of the two presidents make Brazil and Russia perfect selections for the comparison. While examining the state of corruption and the improvements under both leaders, I analyze their leadership strategies to explain their popularity. I conclude by arguing that, in the eyes of Russians and Brazilians, corruption is secondary to great leadership characteristics. As long as the population considers the leader fit to rule, primarily that he possesses positive leadership characteristics and produces results for the country, the public will overlook his corrupt activities and continue to elect him.