The Specter of Liberalism: Notes on the Democratic Party of São Paulo and the Historiography of Twentieth-Century Brazil

Abstract

The Democratic Party of São Paulo (PD) occupies a curious position in the history and historiography of 20th century Brazil. Founded amid discontent with the machine politics of the so-called "Old Republic," the party mounted an important if ultimately unsuccessful challenge to the state's ruling Republican Party (PRP) during the years 1926-1928, shrilly calling for reform and running candidates in three statewide elections. Thereafter, having failed to bring about the renovation of state politics from within, PD leaders tied their party's fortunes to dissident elites from other states, first in the failed presidential campaign of 1929-1930, in which they backed gaúcho Getúlio Vargas against PRP candidate and fellow paulista Júlio Prestes de Albuquerque, then in the successful "Revolution" of 1930, which placed Vargas in the Presidential Palace. [1] Expecting to be provided with stewardship over their home state, the democráticos were soon disappointed; as their disappointment gave way to a deep and abiding sense of betrayal, they broke with Vargas and made common cause with their former enemies in the PRP in the Constitutionalist Revolt of 1932. Following the failure of this revolt, the party limped along for a little over a year until its ultimate dissolution in February 1934.