The Making of the Mass Protests in Brazil and Turkey: A Comparative Approach

• In Event: Social Movements in the streets

Abstract

Year 2013 was marked by mass demonstrations and protests against government policies both in Brazil and Turkey. This paper intends to shed light on the similarities of the phenomenal protests in both countries. Despite particular contrasting aspects, these two cases were comparable in several levels. Both countries have a history of military interventions but managed to set relatively stable representative democracies in the post-Cold War period and are perceived as models to their regions. Secondly, both countries are emerging powers which have democratically elected governments that have international ambitions; and pursuing neo-liberal policies that create immense accumulation of capital for a small elite. Thirdly, in both countries the allocation of public funds rise criticism, namely the redevelopment plan for Istanbul and the hosting of major sports events in Brazil. The protests of 2013 attracted utmost international attention, and raised academic questions as to the extent of their links in the light of the aforementioned similarities of the two countries. The class, background and age group and demands of the protestors were similar and both democratic protest movements were a reaction to the degradation of democracy to mere electoral process and a demand for wider participation in decision-making. The differences of two cases are based on their particular historical and social conditions such as the ideological distinction of the governments, the triggering events of the protests and the government response to the events. Nevertheless, a thorough comparison of the two incidents will contribute to a better understanding of social movements globally.

Author

• Asli Postaci, Stockholm University, Institute of Latin American Studies