Brazil’s Authoritarian Resurgence: How the Religious Right, Judiciary, and Economic Elites Have Suppressed Civil Society to Promote Neoliberalism

• In Event: Brazilian Politics (II)

Abstract

Since President Rousseff’s ousting in 2016, many politicians, activists, and academics have denounced the growing presence of the political right in Brazil. The imprisonment of former President Lula, despite the various legal problems pertaining to his case, as well as the targeted killing of activist Marielle Franco, show how legal and illegal means have silenced actors in civil society and on the left. This paper analyzes the nature of Brazil’s current political moment, arguing that the country’s rightwing shift is best understood as an alliance between the evangelical religious right, judiciary, and wealthy elites. The nature of this alliance features actors that work across governmental institutions to theoretically purge capitalism of corruption, but also to promote neoliberal restructuring at the expense of democratic norms and institutions. This moment of authoritarian resurgence differs from the country’s previous experience, namely, the era of Brazil’s military dictatorship (1964-1985), given the current promotion of neoliberal policy proposals and the active role of the judiciary in ruling the country. Additionally, Brazil’s authoritarian right simultaneously appeals to liberal democratic institutions while undermining them. Specifically, rightwing elites forward their agenda by accusing the left opposition of corruption, while sustaining a discourse of support to the rule of law, to legitimize the suppression of civil society actors.

Authors

• Anthony R Pahnke, San Francisco State University

• Marcelo Milan, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul