O populismo autoritário de Bolsonaro no banco dos réus | Entrevista com Daniel Capecchi

About this video

• Video Title: O populismo autoritário de Bolsonaro no banco dos réus | Entrevista com Daniel Capecchi
• Channel: CartaCapital
• Speakers: Leonardo Miazo, Daniel Capecchi
• Duration: 00:28:58

Overview

This video features an interview with Daniel Capecchi, a professor of Constitutional and Administrative Law, discussing his book "Promessa Constitucional e Crise Democrática: O populismo autoritário e a Constituição de 1988." The conversation explores the rise of Bolsonaro, the unfulfilled promises of the 1988 Brazilian Constitution, the role of social dissatisfaction, the 2013 protests, and the structural aspects of the Brazilian political system that both enabled and constrained Bolsonaro's authoritarian agenda. Capecchi distinguishes between democratic and authoritarian populism and discusses potential reforms to strengthen Brazilian democracy.

Key takeaways

• Frustration with the 1988 Constitution: The rise of Bolsonaro is partly explained by the Brazilian society's frustration with the unfulfilled promises of freedom, equality, and social justice laid out in the 1988 Constitution.
• Dual sources of dissatisfaction: Bolsonaro's movement mobilized two groups: those historically opposed to the 1988 Constitution and those dissatisfied with its actual outcomes.
• June 2013 protests as a catalyst: The 2013 protests materialized and amplified existing societal dissatisfaction with the democratic system's deliverables, which were then partially co-opted by anti-constitutional sectors.
• Oligarchic structure's role: The same oligarchic structure that contributed to the frustration with the Constitution also acted as a constraint on Bolsonaro's authoritarian impulses, forcing him to negotiate with Congress and leading to the de-legitimization of the democratic system.
• Democratic vs. Authoritarian Populism: Democratic populism aims to include marginalized groups and democratize political participation, while authoritarian populism seeks to exclude segments of the population and subvert democratic institutions to maintain power.
• Need for Structural Reforms: Key reforms suggested include reducing income concentration (e.g., through a progressive tax reform), re-evaluating the relationship between political/judicial power and economic power, and addressing racial and gender inequality to reactivate the emancipatory potential of the Constitution.
• Supreme Court's Role in the January 8th Case: The ongoing trial at the Supreme Court for the January 8th events is seen as symbolically important for holding accountable those who attempted to undermine democracy, but it is not sufficient on its own to address the root causes of authoritarianism.