🌮Latin American Politics Unit 14 – Brazil's Political System & Policymaking

Historical Context

• Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822, establishing a constitutional monarchy under Emperor Pedro I
• Slavery was a significant part of Brazil's colonial economy, with the country being the last in the Americas to abolish the practice in 1888
• In 1889, a military coup led by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca overthrew the monarchy, establishing the First Brazilian Republic
  • The First Republic was characterized by a decentralized, oligarchic political system known as "café com leite" (coffee with milk), dominated by the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais
• The 1930 Revolution, led by Getúlio Vargas, ended the First Republic and ushered in the Vargas Era (1930-1945)
  • Vargas implemented a centralized, authoritarian government and pursued nationalist and populist policies
• After a brief democratic period (1946-1964), a military coup in 1964 established a military dictatorship that lasted until 1985
• The process of redemocratization began in the 1980s, culminating in the adoption of the current constitution in 1988

Government Structure

• Brazil is a federal presidential constitutional republic, with a multi-party system
• The country is divided into 26 states and one federal district (Brasília), each with its own government and constitution
• The federal government is composed of three branches: executive, legislative, and judiciary
  • The executive branch is headed by the President, who serves as both head of state and head of government
  • The legislative branch consists of the bicameral National Congress, made up of the Federal Senate (upper house) and the Chamber of Deputies (lower house)
  • The judiciary is led by the Supreme Federal Court, which is responsible for interpreting and upholding the constitution
• State governments mirror the structure of the federal government, with governors, state legislatures, and state courts
• Municipalities are the smallest administrative units, led by elected mayors and city councils

Key Political Parties

• Brazil has a multi-party system, with numerous political parties spanning the ideological spectrum
• The Workers' Party (PT) is a left-wing party founded in 1980, known for its social welfare policies and the presidencies of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2003-2010) and Dilma Rousseff (2011-2016)
• The Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) is a center-left party that has been a major rival to the PT, holding the presidency under Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995-2002)
• The Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), formerly known as the Party of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (PMDB), is a centrist party that has often played a key role in coalition governments
• The Social Liberal Party (PSL) gained prominence in the 2018 elections, serving as the platform for the successful presidential campaign of Jair Bolsonaro, who ran on a right-wing, populist platform
• Other notable parties include the Democrats (DEM), the Progressive Party (PP), and the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB)

Electoral System

• Brazil uses a two-round system for presidential elections, with a runoff between the top two candidates if no candidate receives an absolute majority in the first round
• Presidents are elected to four-year terms and may serve up to two consecutive terms
• Members of the Federal Senate are elected to eight-year terms, with one-third and two-thirds of the seats up for election alternately every four years
  • Each state and the Federal District elect three senators using a plurality voting system
• Members of the Chamber of Deputies are elected to four-year terms through an open-list proportional representation system
  • Seats are allocated to each state proportionally based on population
• State governors, state legislators, and municipal officials are elected simultaneously with federal elections
• Voting is compulsory for literate citizens aged 18 to 70 and optional for those aged 16-17, over 70, or illiterate

Policymaking Process

• The policymaking process in Brazil involves the interaction of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as the influence of interest groups and civil society
• The President has the power to initiate legislation, issue decrees, and veto bills passed by Congress
  • The President's agenda often sets the tone for policy priorities
• The National Congress is responsible for debating, amending, and passing legislation
  • Bills can be introduced by members of Congress, parliamentary committees, or the executive branch
• The Supreme Federal Court plays a crucial role in interpreting the constitutionality of laws and resolving disputes between branches of government
• Interest groups, such as labor unions, business associations, and social movements, seek to influence policy through lobbying, public campaigns, and strategic litigation
• The policymaking process is often characterized by extensive negotiation and coalition-building, as parties and factions within Congress align to advance their agendas
• The implementation of policies is carried out by the executive branch, through ministries and federal agencies, in collaboration with state and municipal governments

Challenges and Reforms

• Brazil faces significant challenges in its political system, including corruption, political polarization, and institutional instability
• The Mensalão scandal (2005) and the Operation Car Wash (Lava Jato) investigation (2014-present) exposed widespread corruption schemes involving politicians, state-owned companies, and private firms
  • These scandals have eroded public trust in political institutions and led to the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff in 2016
• Political polarization has intensified in recent years, with the rise of right-wing populism and the ongoing tensions between the PT and its opponents
• Efforts to reform the political system have included measures to combat corruption, such as the Clean Record Act (Lei da Ficha Limpa) and the Anti-Corruption Act (Lei Anticorrupção)
• Electoral reforms have been proposed to address issues such as campaign finance, party fragmentation, and political representation
  • In 2017, Congress passed a constitutional amendment establishing a public campaign finance system and imposing stricter rules on private donations
• Other reform proposals have focused on improving government efficiency, reducing bureaucracy, and enhancing transparency and accountability

Regional and Global Influence

• As the largest country in Latin America and a member of the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), Brazil plays a significant role in regional and global affairs
• Brazil has been a leader in regional integration efforts, such as the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR)
  • These initiatives aim to promote economic cooperation, political coordination, and social development among member states
• Brazil has also been active in multilateral forums, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the G20
  • The country has advocated for reform of global governance structures to give greater voice to developing nations
• In recent years, Brazil has faced challenges in maintaining its regional and global influence due to domestic political and economic crises
• The country's foreign policy priorities have shifted under different administrations, with the Lula and Rousseff governments emphasizing South-South cooperation and the Bolsonaro government aligning more closely with the United States

Current Political Landscape

• The current political landscape in Brazil is characterized by the aftermath of the 2018 presidential election and the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic
• President Jair Bolsonaro, elected on a right-wing, populist platform, has faced criticism for his handling of the pandemic, his confrontational style, and his controversial statements on social and environmental issues
• The Bolsonaro administration has pursued a pro-market economic agenda, including privatization, deregulation, and pension reform
  • These policies have been met with resistance from opposition parties and social movements
• The PT remains a significant force in Brazilian politics, with former President Lula regaining his political rights after the annulment of his corruption convictions in 2021
• The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed deep inequalities in Brazilian society and has put pressure on the government to provide social assistance and support for the healthcare system
• Political polarization and social unrest have increased, with protests and demonstrations over issues such as police violence, racial inequality, and the government's pandemic response
• The 2022 presidential and legislative elections are expected to be highly contested, with the potential for a realignment of political forces and a referendum on the Bolsonaro administration's record