Economic Ideologies and the Consolidation of Democracy in Brazil

Abstract

The transition to democracy was a long process in Brazil. It started in the mid-1970s and just came to an end at the beginning of 1985. Three years later, however, most people in Brazil believe that the democratization process in Brazil is unfinished. Raymundo Faoro said recently (1988, 7) that the transition to democracy in Brazil is taking so long that it will end being longer than the authoritarian regime. I understand very well this view but I do not accept it. The transition to democracy finished three years ago. But the resulting democracy, as it was not able to solve the economic and social problems the country faces, is disappointing. In other words, the political regime in Brazil is democratic, but it is far from being consolidated. Actually, as the new democratic government is unable to overcome the existing economic and social problems, a new political crisis emerged.