Editing Brazil (section)

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Politics of Brazil|Federal government of Brazil|Elections in Brazil}}
[[File:Palácio Nereu Ramos - Brasília - 20150603172246.jpg|thumb|[[National Congress of Brazil|National Congress]], seat of the [[legislative branch]]]]
[[File:Palacio do Planalto (5348220087).jpg|thumb|[[Palácio do Planalto]], the official workplace of the [[President of Brazil]]]]

The form of government is a [[Democracy|democratic]] [[Federation|federative]] [[republic]], with a [[presidential system]].<ref name="Constituição" /> The president is both head of state and head of government of the Union and is elected for a four-year term,<ref name="Constituição" /> with the possibility of re-election for a second successive term. The current president is [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite news |last=Pimentel |first=Mauro |title=Lula returns for third term as Brazil president |work=CNN |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230101-lula-returns-for-third-term-as-brazil-president |access-date=1 January 2022 |archive-date=1 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230101031904/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20230101-lula-returns-for-third-term-as-brazil-president |url-status=live }}</ref> The President appoints the [[Minister of State|Ministers of State]], who assist in government.<ref name="Constituição" />

Legislative houses in each political entity are the main source of law in Brazil. The [[National Congress of Brazil|National Congress]] is the Federation's bicameral legislature, consisting of the [[Chamber of Deputies of Brazil|Chamber of Deputies]] and the [[Senate of Brazil|Federal Senate]]. Judiciary authorities exercise jurisdictional duties almost exclusively. In 2021, the [[Economist Intelligence Unit]]'s [[Democracy Index]] categorized Brazil as a "[[flawed democracy]]", ranking 46th in the report,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Democracy Index 2021: the China challenge |url=https://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/eiu-democracy-index-2021.pdf?mkt_tok=NzUzLVJJUS00MzgAAAGDWhBlxfqM9cMZEewC0HoBG0xhm9PFkxb-_IqDsjlxRZgDssKgB0pHGt7yS48UFv94hU4ZW0C_jXaFfmK_5TbL23wtQarQv22nFbg8ZTnHQrrcPg |website=Economist Intelligence Unit |language=en-GB |access-date=18 December 2022 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326122737/https://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/eiu-democracy-index-2021.pdf?mkt_tok=NzUzLVJJUS00MzgAAAGDWhBlxfqM9cMZEewC0HoBG0xhm9PFkxb-_IqDsjlxRZgDssKgB0pHGt7yS48UFv94hU4ZW0C_jXaFfmK_5TbL23wtQarQv22nFbg8ZTnHQrrcPg |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Freedom House]] classified it as a [[Free World|free country]] at ''[[Freedom in the World]]'' report.<ref name="FITW-TG-2021">{{Cite web |date=3 March 2021 |title=Freedom in the World 2021 |url=https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/FIW2021_World_02252021_FINAL-web-upload.pdf |access-date=3 March 2021 |publisher=Freedom House |archive-date=26 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226172012/https://freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/2021-02/FIW2021_World_02252021_FINAL-web-upload.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

The political-administrative organization of the Federative Republic of Brazil comprises the Union, the states, the Federal District, and the municipalities.<ref name="Constituição" /> The Union, the states, the Federal District, and the municipalities, are the "spheres of government". The federation is set on five fundamental principles: sovereignty, citizenship, dignity of human beings, the social values of labor and freedom of enterprise, and political [[pluralism (political theory)|pluralism]].<ref name="Constituição" />

The classic tripartite branches of government (executive, legislative and judicial under a checks and balances system) are formally established by the Constitution.<ref name="Constituição" /> The executive and legislative are organized [[Separation of powers|independently in all three spheres of government]], while the judiciary is organized only at the federal and state and Federal District spheres. All members of the executive and legislative branches are directly elected.<ref name="embassy">{{Cite web |title=Embassy of Brazil&nbsp;– Ottawa |url=http://www.brasembottawa.org/en/brazil_in_brief/political_institution.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725100724/http://www.brasembottawa.org/en/brazil_in_brief/political_institution.html |archive-date=25 July 2011 |access-date=19 July 2007 |quote=Political Institutions&nbsp;– The Executive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=City Mayors |url=http://www.citymayors.com/government/brazil_government.html |access-date=19 July 2007 |quote=Brazil federal, state and local government |archive-date=1 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001100905/http://citymayors.com/government/brazil_government.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Fontaine |first=Edward |year=1872 |title=Contributions to the Physical Geography of the Mississippi River, and Its Delta |journal=Journal of the American Geographical Society of New York |volume=3 |pages=343–78 |doi=10.2307/196424 |issn=1536-0407 |jstor=196424}}</ref>

For most of its democratic history, Brazil has had a [[multi-party system]], with [[proportional representation]]. Voting is [[Compulsory voting|compulsory]] for the literate between 18 and 70 years old and optional for illiterates and those between 16 and 18 or beyond 70.<ref name="Constituição" /> The country has around [[List of political parties in Brazil|30 registered political parties]]. Twenty political parties are represented in Congress. It is common for politicians to switch parties, and thus the proportion of congressional seats held by particular parties changes regularly.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 1988 |title=Government – Brazil |url=http://www.southtravels.com/america/brazil/government.html  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128075345/http://www.southtravels.com/america/brazil/government.html |archive-date=28 November 2011 |access-date=17 March 2010 |publisher=Southtravels.com}}</ref>

=== Law ===
{{Main|Law of Brazil}}

[[File:Supremo Tribunal de Justiça (4893152130).jpg|thumb|[[Supreme Federal Court of Brazil]] serves primarily as the Constitutional Court of the country.]]

Brazilian law is based on the [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] legal system<ref>[http://www.oas.org/juridico/mla/en/bra/en_bra-int-des-ordrjur.html "The Brazilian Legal System"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008001827/http://www.oas.org/juridico/mla/en/bra/en_bra-int-des-ordrjur.html |date=8 October 2009 }}, Organization of American States. Retrieved 17 May 2007.</ref> and [[civil law (legal system)|civil law]] concepts prevail over common law practice. Most of Brazilian law is codified, although non-codified statutes also represent a substantial part, playing a complementary role. Court decisions set out interpretive guidelines; however, they are seldom binding on other specific cases. Doctrinal works and the works of academic jurists have strong influence in law creation and in law cases. Judges and other judicial officials are appointed after passing entry exams.<ref name="embassy" />

The legal system is based on the [[Constitution of Brazil|Federal Constitution]], promulgated on 5 October 1988, and the fundamental law of Brazil. All other legislation and court decisions must conform to its rules.<ref>José Afonso da Silva, ''Curso de Direito Constitucional Positivo'' (Malheiros, 2004; {{ISBN|85-7420-559-1}}), p.&nbsp;46.</ref> {{As of|2022|07}}, there have been 124 amendments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amendments to the Brazilian Constitution |url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/constituicao/Emendas/Emc/quadro_emc.htm |website=Brazilian Law Compiled |access-date=23 July 2022 |archive-date=22 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722185649/http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/constituicao/emendas/emc/quadro_emc.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The highest court is the [[Supreme Federal Court]]. States have their own constitutions, which must not contradict the Federal Constitution.<ref>Silva, ''Curso de Direito Constitucional Positivo'', p.&nbsp;592.</ref> Municipalities and the Federal District have "organic laws" ({{lang|pt|leis orgânicas}}), which act in a similar way to constitutions.<ref name="DeffentiBarral2011">{{Cite book |last1=Fabiano Deffenti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Ba2J5eD8wYC&pg=PA20 |title=Introduction to Brazilian Law |last2=Welber Oliveira Barral |publisher=Kluwer Law International |year=2011 |isbn=978-90-411-2506-4 |pages=20– |access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref> Legislative entities are the main source of statutes, although in certain matters judiciary and executive bodies may enact legal norms.<ref name="Constituição" /> Jurisdiction is administered by the judiciary entities, although in rare situations the [[Constitution of Brazil|Federal Constitution]] allows the Federal Senate to pass on legal judgments.<ref name="Constituição" /> There are also specialized military, labor and electoral courts.<ref name="Constituição" />

=== Military ===
{{Main|Brazilian Armed Forces}}
{{multiple image
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| image1 = 200923ASO Anderson Soares 50.jpg
| caption1 = [[Brazilian Air Force]] [[Saab JAS 39 Gripen#Brazil|Saab Gripen NG]]
| image2 = Operação "Poseidon 2021" (51475998419).jpg
| caption2 = [[Brazilian Navy]]'s [[flagship]] [[PHM Atlântico|PHM ''Atlântico'']] and [[Brazilian frigate Liberal (F-43)|frigate ''Liberal'' (F-43)]] (background)
}}
The armed forces of Brazil are the [[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|largest]] in Latin America by active personnel and the largest in terms of military equipment.<ref>[http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Revista/Epoca/0,,EMI14439-15273-2,00-UMA+NOVA+AGENDA+MILITAR.html Uma Nova Agenda Militar] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325232014/http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Revista/Epoca/0%2C%2CEMI14439-15273-2%2C00-UMA%2BNOVA%2BAGENDA%2BMILITAR.html |date=25 March 2017 }} Revista Época. Retrieved on 19 February 2009.</ref> The country was considered the 9th largest military power on the planet in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2021 Military Strength Ranking |url=https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305160211/https://www.globalfirepower.com/countries-listing.php |archive-date=5 March 2021 |access-date=11 January 2022 |publisher=Global Firepower}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Brazil is among the 10 largest military powers in the world |url=https://ocp.news/economia/brasil-esta-entre-dez-maiores-potencias-militares-diz-publicacao |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721204255/https://ocp.news/economia/brasil-esta-entre-dez-maiores-potencias-militares-diz-publicacao |archive-date=21 July 2021 |access-date=11 January 2022 |publisher=OCP News}}</ref> It consists of the [[Brazilian Army]] (including the [[Brazilian Army Aviation Command|Army Aviation Command]]), the [[Brazilian Navy]] (including the [[Brazilian Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] and [[Brazilian Naval Aviation|Naval Aviation]]) and the [[Brazilian Air Force]]. Brazil's [[conscription]] policy gives it one of the world's largest military forces, estimated at more than 1.6&nbsp;million [[Military Reserve|reservists]] annually.<ref>{{Citation |title=The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/ |access-date=26 March 2010 |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |archive-date=12 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812124129/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Air Force is the largest in Latin America and has about 700 crewed aircraft in service and effective about 67,000 personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sala de imprensa – FAB em números |url=http://www.fab.mil.br/portal/imprensa/fab_numeros.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080617153748/http://www.fab.mil.br/portal/imprensa/fab_numeros.php |archive-date=17 June 2008 |access-date=12 December 2007 |publisher=Força Aérea Brasileira |language=pt}}</ref>

Numbering close to 236,000 active personnel,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Decreto Nº 5.670 de 10 de Janeiro de 2006 |url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2004-2006/2006/Decreto/D5670.htm |access-date=2 October 2010 |publisher=Presidência da República |language=pt |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010151021/http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_Ato2004-2006/2006/Decreto/D5670.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> the Brazilian Army has the largest number of armored vehicles in South America, including armored transports and [[battle tank|tanks]].<ref name="militarypower1">{{Cite web |title=Military Power |url=http://www.militarypower.com.br/mundo.htm |access-date=27 June 2010 |place=Brasil |archive-date=11 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211045946/http://www.militarypower.com.br/mundo.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The states' [[Military Police (Brazil)|Military Police]] and the [[Military Firefighters Corps]] are described as an ancillary forces of the Army by the constitution, but are under the control of each state's governor.<ref name="Constituição" />

Brazil's navy once operated some of the most powerful warships in the world with the two {{Sclass|Minas Geraes|battleship|0}} [[dreadnought]]s, sparking a [[South American dreadnought race|naval arms race between Argentina, Brazil, and Chile]].<ref>Scheina (1987), p. 81.</ref> Today, it is a [[green-water navy|green water]] force and has a group of specialized elite in retaking ships and naval facilities, [[GRUMEC]], unit specially trained to protect Brazilian oil platforms along its coast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grupamento de Mergulhadores de Combate – GruMeC |url=http://tropaselite.t35.com/BRASIL_GRUMEC.htm  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327162505/http://tropaselite.t35.com/BRASIL_GRUMEC.htm |archive-date=27 March 2010 |access-date=27 June 2010 |website=tropaselite.t35.com}}</ref> {{As of|2022}}, it is the only navy in Latin America that operates a [[helicopter carrier]], [[Brazilian aircraft carrier Atlântico|NAM ''Atlântico'']] and one of twelve <!--Popular Mechanics reference from April 2022 below lists thirteen navies, but South Korea is merely contemplating them.-->navies in the world to operate or have one under construction.<ref name="Poder Naval">{{Cite news |date=26 November 2020 |title=Porta-Helicópteros Atlântico agora é Navio-Aeródromo Multipropósito |language=pt-br |publisher=Poder Naval |url=https://www.naval.com.br/blog/2020/11/26/porta-helicopteros-atlantico-agora-e-navio-aerodromo-multiproposito/ |access-date=12 May 2022 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126180831/https://www.naval.com.br/blog/2020/11/26/porta-helicopteros-atlantico-agora-e-navio-aerodromo-multiproposito/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Foreign policy ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Brazil}}
[[File:Itamaraty Palace at night, January 2010.jpg|thumb|[[Itamaraty Palace]], the seat of the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Brazil)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]]]

Brazil's international relations are based on Article 4 of the [[Constitution of Brazil|Federal Constitution]], which establishes [[Non-interventionism|non-intervention]], [[self-determination]], [[Internationalism (politics)|international cooperation]] and the [[Peacebuilding|peaceful settlement of conflicts]] as the guiding principles of Brazil's relationship with other countries and multilateral organizations.<ref>[http://www.v-brazil.com/government/laws/titleI.html Article 4 of the Federal Constitution of Brazil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928070506/http://www.v-brazil.com/government/laws/titleI.html |date=28 September 2018 }} V-Brazil. Retrieved on 20 September 2011.</ref> According to the Constitution, the [[President of Brazil|President]] has ultimate authority over foreign policy, while the [[National Congress of Brazil|Congress]] is tasked with reviewing and considering all diplomatic nominations and [[Treaty|international treaties]], as well as legislation relating to Brazilian foreign policy.<ref>[http://www.v-brazil.com/government/laws/titleIV.html Article 84 of the Federal Constitution of Brazil] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919114914/http://www.v-brazil.com/government/laws/titleIV.html |date=19 September 2019 }} V-Brazil. Retrieved on 20 September 2011.</ref>

Brazil's foreign policy is a by-product of the country's position as a [[regional power]] in [[Latin America]], a leader among [[developing countries]], and an emerging [[world power]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090710013700/http://www.wilsoncenter.org/news/docs/RL33456.pdf U.S. Congressional Report on Brazil] [[United States Congress]]. Retrieved on 23 June 2009.</ref> Brazilian foreign policy has generally been based on the principles of [[multilateralism]], peaceful dispute settlement, and [[non-interventionism|non-intervention]] in the affairs of other countries.<ref>Georges D. Landau, "The Decision-making Process in Foreign Policy: The Case of Brazil", Center for Strategic and International Studies: Washington DC: March 2003</ref> Brazil is a founding member state of the [[Community of Portuguese Language Countries]] (CPLP), also known as the Lusophone Commonwealth, an international organization and political association of [[Lusophone]] nations.

An increasingly well-developed tool of Brazil's foreign policy is providing aid as a donor to other developing countries.<ref name="ODI1">Cabral and Weinstock 2010. [http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/details.asp?id=5120&title=brazil-election-emerging-donor-aid Brazil: an emerging aid player] ({{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110113185641/http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/details.asp?id=5120&title=brazil-election-emerging-donor-aid|date=13 January 2011}}). London: [[Overseas Development Institute]]</ref> Brazil does not just use its growing economic strength to provide financial aid, but it also provides high levels of expertise and most importantly of all, a quiet non-confrontational diplomacy to improve governance levels.<ref name="ODI1" /> Total aid is estimated to be around $1&nbsp;billion per year, which includes.<ref name="ODI1" /> In addition, Brazil already managed a [[United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti|peacekeeping mission in Haiti]] ($350&nbsp;million) and makes in-kind contributions to the [[World Food Programme]] ($300&nbsp;million).<ref name="ODI1" /> The scale of this aid places it on par with China and India.<ref name="ODI1" /> The Brazilian [[South-South]] aid has been described as a "global model in waiting".<ref>Cabral, Lidia 2010. [http://blogs.odi.org.uk/blogs/main/archive/2010/07/22/brazil_south_south_cooperation.aspx Brazil's development cooperation with the South: a global model in waiting] ({{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430190841/http://blogs.odi.org.uk/blogs/main/archive/2010/07/22/brazil_south_south_cooperation.aspx|date=30 April 2011}}). London: [[Overseas Development Institute]]</ref>

=== Law enforcement and crime ===
{{Main|Law enforcement in Brazil|Crime in Brazil}}
[[File:Sede da Polícia Federal.jpg|thumb|Headquarters of the [[Federal Police of Brazil]] in [[Brasília]]]]

In Brazil, the [[Constitution of Brazil|Constitution]] establishes six different police agencies for law enforcement: [[Federal Police Department]], [[Federal Highway Police (Brazil)|Federal Highway Police]], [[Federal Railroad Police]], Federal, District and State Penal Police (included by the Constitutional Amendment No. 104, of 2019), [[Military Police (Brazil)|Military Police]] and [[Civil Police (Brazil)|Civil Police]]. Of these, the first three are affiliated with federal authorities, the last two are subordinate to state governments and the Penal Police can be subordinated to the federal or state/district government. All police forces are overseen by the executive branch of the federal or state government.<ref name="Constituição" /> The [[National Public Security Force]] also can act in public disorder situations arising anywhere in the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 April 2012 |title=Ordem pública é prioridade da Força Nacional de Segurança |url=http://www.brasil.gov.br/defesa-e-seguranca/2012/05/ordem-publica-e-prioridade-da-forca-nacional-de-seguranca |access-date=8 February 2015 |publisher=Portal Brasil |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010152940/http://www.brasil.gov.br/defesa-e-seguranca/2012/05/ordem-publica-e-prioridade-da-forca-nacional-de-seguranca |url-status=live }}</ref>

The country has high levels of violent crime, such as gun violence and homicides. In 2012, the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) estimated the number of 32 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the [[List of countries by intentional homicide rate|highest rates of homicide of the world]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 December 2014 |title=Brasil tem maior número absoluto de homicídios do mundo |url=http://brasil.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,brasil-tem-maior-numero-absoluto-de-homicidios-do-mundo,1604827 |publisher=[[O Estado de S. Paulo]] |access-date=4 February 2015 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414194042/https://brasil.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,brasil-tem-maior-numero-absoluto-de-homicidios-do-mundo,1604827 |url-status=live }}</ref> The number considered acceptable by the WHO is about 10 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 January 2011 |title=Taxa de delito por 100 mil habitantes |url=http://www.ssp.sp.gov.br/estatistica/dados.aspx?id=E  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811121142/http://www.ssp.sp.gov.br/estatistica/dados.aspx?id=E |archive-date=11 August 2011 |access-date=14 February 2011 |publisher=Secretaria de Segurança Pública do Estado de São Paulo}}</ref> In 2018, Brazil had a record 63,880 murders.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 August 2018 |title=A Year of Violence Sees Brazil's Murder Rate Hit Record High |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/world/americas/brazil-murder-rate-record.html |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/10/world/americas/brazil-murder-rate-record.html |archive-date=1 January 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> However, there are differences between the crime rates in the [[States of Brazil|Brazilian states]]. While in [[São Paulo (state)|São Paulo]] the homicide rate registered in 2013 was 10.8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, in [[Alagoas]] it was 64.7 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=11 November 2014 |title=Os estados com mais homicídios no Brasil |url=http://exame.abril.com.br/brasil/noticias/uma-pessoa-e-assassinada-a-cada-dez-minutos-no-brasil |magazine=[[Exame]] |access-date=5 February 2015 |archive-date=28 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828212304/http://exame.abril.com.br/brasil/noticias/uma-pessoa-e-assassinada-a-cada-dez-minutos-no-brasil |url-status=live }}</ref>

Brazil also has high levels of incarceration. It had the third largest prison population in the world of approximately 700,000 prisoners as of June 2014, which put it only behind the United States (2,228,424) and China (1,701,344).<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 June 2014 |title=Brasil passa a Rússia e tem a terceira maior população carcerária do mundo |work=[[Folha de S.Paulo]] |url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/cotidiano/2014/06/1465527-brasil-passa-a-russia-e-tem-a-terceira-maior-populacao-carceraria-do-mundo.shtml |access-date=4 February 2015 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414193136/https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/cotidiano/2014/06/1465527-brasil-passa-a-russia-e-tem-a-terceira-maior-populacao-carceraria-do-mundo.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> The high number of prisoners eventually overloaded the Brazilian prison system, leading to a shortfall of about 200,000 accommodations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 January 2014 |title=Brasil tem hoje deficit de 200 mil vagas no sistema prisional |url=http://g1.globo.com/brasil/noticia/2014/01/brasil-tem-hoje-deficit-de-200-mil-vagas-no-sistema-prisional.html |access-date=21 March 2014 |publisher=G1 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413193044/http://g1.globo.com/brasil/noticia/2014/01/brasil-tem-hoje-deficit-de-200-mil-vagas-no-sistema-prisional.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
{{See also|Human rights in Brazil}}
{{Excerpt|Human rights in Brazil|hat=no||only=paragraphs}}Same-sex couples in Brazil have held nationwide [[Same-sex marriage in Brazil|marriage rights]] since May 2013.<ref name="edition.cnn.com">{{cite web |last=Brocchetto |first=Marilia |date=May 15, 2013 |title=Brazilian judicial council orders notaries to recognize same-sex marriage |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/05/15/world/americas/brazil-same-sex-marriage/index.html?eref=edition |access-date=July 11, 2017 |work=CNN}}</ref>

=== Political subdivisions ===
{{Main|Subdivisions of Brazil}}
{{Further|Municipalities of Brazil|States of Brazil|Regions of Brazil}}
Brazil is a federation composed of 26 [[Federated state|states]], one [[federal district]], and the 5,571 [[Municipality|municipalities]].<ref name="Constituição" /> States have autonomous administrations, collect their own taxes and receive a share of taxes collected by the Federal government. They have a governor and a unicameral legislative body elected directly by their voters. They also have independent [[Court of Justice (Brazil)|Courts of Law]] for common justice. Despite this, states have much less autonomy to create their own laws than in other federal states such as the United States. For example, criminal and civil laws can be voted by only the federal bicameral Congress and are uniform throughout the country.<ref name="Constituição" />

{{Brazil Labelled Map|width=700|float=center}}

Municipalities, as the states, have autonomous administrations, collect their own taxes and receive a share of taxes collected by the federal and state government.<ref name="Constituição" /> Each has an elected mayor and legislative body, but no separate Court of Law. Indeed, a Court of Law organized by the state can encompass many municipalities in a single justice administrative division called ''[[comarca]]'' (county).<ref name="Constituição" />

Brazil's constitution also provides for the creation of [[Federal territories of Brazil|federal territories]], which are administrative divisions directly controlled by the federal government. However, there are currently no federal territories in the country, as the 1988 Constitution abolished the last three: Amapá and Roraima (which gained statehood status) and Fernando de Noronha, which became a state district of Pernambuco.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=da Cunha Melo |first=Leopoldo |date=January 1948 |title=Conceituação de "Território Federal" como unidade política |trans-title=Conceptualization of "Federal Territory" as a political unit |url=https://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/periodicos/19/bg_1948_v5_n58_jan.pdf |journal=Boletim Geográfico |language=pt-br |volume=5 |issue=58 |pages=1128–1133 |access-date=26 October 2023 |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020120613/https://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/periodicos/19/bg_1948_v5_n58_jan.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Porto |first=Jadson Luís Rebelo |date=March 1999 |title=Os territórios federais e a sua evolução no Brasil |trans-title=The federal territories and their evolution in Brazil |url=http://www.revistapresenca.unir.br/artigos_presenca/15jadsonluisrebeloporto_osterritoriosfederaiseasuaevolucao.pdf |journal=Revista de Educação, Cultura e meio ambiente |language=pt-br |volume=III |issue=15 |access-date=26 October 2023 |archive-date=17 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117070657/http://www.revistapresenca.unir.br/artigos_presenca/15jadsonluisrebeloporto_osterritoriosfederaiseasuaevolucao.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>