Bolsonaro’s Botched Coup Attempt Exposed Political Fault Lines in the Brazilian Democracy

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6380322
AutoresLucas M Novaes (0000-0001-9154-6065, Insper), Diego Werneck Arguelhes (0000-0001-7522-3717, Insper)
Ano2024
Fascículoahead
Data de publicação2024-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoRevista de ciencia política (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0716-1417 • E-ISSN: 0718-090X
EditoraSciELO Agencia Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo (ANID) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.4067/s0718-090x2024005000111
OpenAlexW4400907434
SCIELO_PIDS0718-090X2024005000111
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas28

This paper analyzes the institutional legacy of the Bolsonaro government on Brazilian democracy, with effects on 2023 and beyond. Focusing on the rebalance of the power of the executive branch vis-a-vis other powers, we argue that Bolsonaro's botched coup attempt exposed the limitations of existing regime safeguards. First, the activation of the military brought the shadow of raw power to the political table. Second, the increased leverage Congress now exercises over the executive has ambiguous effects on its willingness to check authoritarian overreaches from the President. Finally, we consider how the conflict between the past President and the Supreme Court has made the court more politicized, potentially affecting its public standing and making it a more likely target for future attacks within the political system. We suggest that, while democracy has resisted, it is not immune to backsliding. We briefly discuss how this reshuffling will shape the scenario for Lula's presidency and the Worker's Party in the coming years

Democracy · Political science · Politics · Law · Social and Political Issues