Understanding the eradication of slave labour in contemporary Brazil – an implementation perspective

The implementation of public policy is a complex process that can only be fully understood when conceived as the study of a process of change. This article utilises implementation theory beyond simple theoretical abstraction, applying Mazmanian and Sabatier's synthetic framework, to appraise the implementation of the Brazilian programme for the Eradication of Slave Labour. It will demonstrate that despite being lauded as a flagship programme of global significance, it is characterised by important implementation gaps, mostly in relation to the programme's design, its lack of a monitoring and evaluation system and insufficient network coordination. Furthermore, the unequal distribution of wealth in Brazil means that slave labour will continue to be endemic, until this economic disparity is confronted. It will also be argued that Mazmanian and Sabatier's implementation model does not deal adequately with the issue of ongoing learning. In consequence, it does not possess all the methodological tools necessary for studying implementation as a process of evolution. Finally, drawing on the existing literature and the key findings of the research, an adaptation of the Mazmanian and Sabatier's model which encompasses policy learning is presented.