Digital Memory in Brazil: A Fragmented and Elastic Negationist Remembrance of the Dictatorship

Digital Memory in Brazil examines the strategies and practices used by the Brazilian far-right government of Bolsonaro to construct a negationist digital memory of the Brazilian dictatorship. It identifies a fragmented and elastic memory with the political purpose of promoting an authoritarian agenda under the vision of a Cultural War.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 16 June 2023
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

The memory of the military dictatorship (1964-1985) in Brazil remains a subject of ongoing debate, nearly four decades after the country's transition to democracy. In the 2000s, narratives challenging the official memory of this regime began to spread digitally, with former army captain Jair Bolsonaro emerging as one of its prominent advocates.

Digital Memory in Brazil: Constructing a Negationist Digital Memory of the Brazilian Dictatorship explores the strategies and practices employed by the Brazilian far-right government of Bolsonaro (2019-2023) to shape a digital memory that negates the historical significance of the Brazilian dictatorship. The study draws on the findings of three case studies to examine how the government utilized social media platforms to shape public discourse and promote a specific interpretation of the past.

Leda Balbino, the book's author, focuses on investigating this memory through its discursive processes and the impact of the digital medium on its development. Through her research, Balbino identifies a fragmented and elastic memory that serves the political purpose of advancing an authoritarian agenda under the guise of a Cultural War. Digital Memory in Brazil reveals that the Bolsonaro government's digital memory of the Brazilian dictatorship is not merely about the past but rather a political project aimed at resonating in the Brazilian present and future.

By integrating digital memory concepts with studies on right-wing populism and digital populism, the book offers a novel perspective on a global political trend. It exposes the strategies and practices employed by Bolsonaro and his supporters to manipulate public opinion, undermine democratic institutions, and consolidate power. The book's insights are particularly relevant in the context of ongoing debates about the rise of authoritarianism and the challenges to democracy in various parts of the world.

In conclusion, Digital Memory in Brazil provides valuable insights into the ways in which governments use digital technologies to shape public memory and influence political discourse. By examining the case of Brazil, the book sheds light on the complex dynamics of memory, power, and politics in the digital age. It is a must-read for scholars, researchers, and policymakers interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities posed by the digital revolution in shaping our collective memory and history.

Weight: 339g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802628043