Digital Transformation in Brazilian Legislative Governance: An Analysis of Interlegis' Impact
About the Senado Federal of Brazil. Written on September, 2021
Introduction
Digital transformation has swept across various sectors globally, revolutionising operations, service delivery, and governance structures. The legislative sector is not exempt from this transformation, especially in emerging democracies like Brazil. Interlegis, an initiative by the School of Government of the Brazilian Senate, serves as a critical case study in this context. Originating two decades ago, the program has evolved from providing basic ICT infrastructure to state and local legislatures to developing open-source software that promotes transparency, integration, and modernisation. This essay analyses the impact of Interlegis in fostering digital transformation within Brazil's legislative sector, focusing on its product offerings, challenges, and future implications.
The Evolution of Interlegis
Interlegis started with the laudable goal of equipping state and local legislatures with computers and internet access. The program adapted its objectives a decade ago to include the development of open-source software aimed at promoting transparency and modernisation of legislative operations across Brazil's federative structure. This shift represents a maturation from merely providing tools to offering solutions that tackle specific challenges in legislative governance, including transparency, efficiency, and public engagement.
Addressing Multifaceted Challenges
Brazil faces a unique set of challenges that make digital transformation not just an option but a necessity. Firstly, there is an increasing demand for transparency in governance. While digitalisation does not inherently guarantee transparency, it significantly facilitates the implementation of transparency measures. Secondly, a declining number of civil service staffers necessitates more efficient administrative and legislative procedures, which digital tools can help facilitate. Thirdly, the growing scope and complexity of legislative mandates require advanced digital solutions for effective management. Lastly, the sustainability and security of document archiving are better assured in a digital environment.
Product Offerings and Their Impact
Interlegis offers a suite of products designed to address these challenges:
SAPL (Legislative Process Support System): It allows real-time tracking of legislative activities, significantly benefiting over 5,500 Brazilian cities, especially those with limited IT infrastructure.
Customisable Websites: These platforms ensure that legislatures meet their obligation of 'active transparency' as required by Brazilian law, by making all legislative information publicly accessible.
e-Democracia: Developed by the lower house of the Brazilian Congress, this software facilitates public engagement in the legislative process far beyond superficial online interactions.
Local Legislatures Landscape: A new product that allows for data-driven comparative analysis between similar cities, providing insights into legislative performance, among other metrics.
More than one in five legislatures in the country utilise these services, attesting to their impact.
Future Directions and Challenges
Interlegis plans to develop additional features that will allow legislatures to go paper-free, in collaboration with IT departments from local legislatures. However, the program also confronts the imperative to rethink its IT policy. The current model, heavily reliant on specialised permanent staff, may have reached its scalability limits given the staffing shortages in civil service. Therefore, exploring alternative models, including partnerships, becomes essential.
The program also faces an ideological challenge. While digital transformation is a primary objective, it should not dilute the essence of legislative deliberation and representative democracy. The aim should be to stimulate meaningful interactions between civil society and legislative bodies.
Conclusion
Interlegis serves as a pivotal initiative in Brazil's legislative digital transformation journey. It has successfully evolved from a program focused on infrastructure provision to one that offers comprehensive digital solutions addressing transparency, efficiency, and public engagement. While the program has achieved significant milestones, it also confronts challenges that necessitate a shift in operational models and careful consideration of democratic principles. The story of Interlegis thus provides vital lessons not just for Brazil but for emerging democracies globally, illustrating how digital transformation can be harnessed to enrich legislative governance without compromising democratic values.