Crime is, and should be, of more pressing concern to tourists and other travelers to Brazil. The same advice would apply to visitors to the United States, and the need for this is evidenced by news reports documenting the murder of foreign tourists in Miami, New York City, Los Angeles and elsewhere. But, operating on the assumption that there is a correlation between poverty and crime, a prudent traveler would consider crime to be a more pressing concern when traveling to destinations where there is more poverty. This is not to suggest that would be travelers should shy away from any destination where poverty or crime are thought to be serious issues. But travelers, regardless of their destination, should take the kind of prudent measures detailed above to minimize the liklihood that they will become a victim of crime while on their journey.
Corruption is an issue everywhere.
Students of Brazil may want to consider the broad socio-political impact of corruption in Brazil much as foreigners may want to examine whether our own leaders have violated federal campaign laws while soliciting donations and attempt to understand the impact it will have upon the future of campaign fundraising here. But the prudent traveler should first and foremost educate themselves regarding their rights and priveledges as a visitor in a foreign land.