Precarious Democracy: Ethnographies of Hope, Despair, and Resistance in Brazil

Brazil underwent significant social and political changes in the 21st century, with outgoing president Lula leaving office with high approval ratings in 2010. However, by 2019, the country had become bitterly divided under the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, leading to the dismantling of progressive gains. Precarious Democracy explores these transformations through ethnographic portraits, highlighting the importance of ethnography in understanding social and political change and providing insights into one of Brazil's most epochal periods.

Format: Hardback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 17 September 2021
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

In the second decade of the 21st century, Brazil underwent a significant transformation. In 2010, the country's outgoing president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, left office with an impressive approval rating of nearly 90%. As his Workers Party successor, Dilma Rousseff, assumed the presidency, Brazil was widely celebrated as a model of progressive governance in the Global South. However, by 2019, those progressive gains had begun to erode under the leadership of far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro, who assumed the presidency of a deeply divided nation.

To delve into the underlying causes and experiences of these transformations, Precarious Democracy employs a rich ethnographic approach, drawing on detailed portraits of Brazilians from various regions, including the megacities and the rural Amazonia. This volume showcases the importance of ethnography in understanding social and political change and offers valuable insights into one of the most pivotal periods in Brazilian history.

The book begins by examining the political context that shaped Brazil's transition from a military dictatorship to a democratic regime in the late 1980s. It explores the rise of the Workers Party and the election of Lula da Silva in 2002, which marked a significant turning point in Brazilian politics. Lula's presidency was characterized by significant economic growth, social welfare programs, and a commitment to reducing inequality.

However, as the 2010 presidential election approached, tensions within the Workers Party began to rise. Rousseff faced opposition from within her own party, particularly from members of the party's left-wing faction, who believed that she was too close to the country's business elite and had not done enough to address social inequality. These tensions came to a head in 2016, when Rousseff was narrowly defeated in a presidential runoff election by Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro's presidency was marked by a sharp turn to the right, with a focus on economic nationalism, anti-immigration policies, and a conservative approach to social issues. His government implemented policies that favored the country's wealthy elite, while cutting social spending and attacking the rights of marginalized groups, such as indigenous peoples and LGBT+ individuals.

Despite the challenges faced by Brazilians during Bolsonaro's presidency, the book also highlights the resilience and creativity of the country's people. It showcases the efforts of activists, artists, and community leaders who have worked tirelessly to defend the country's progressive values and promote social justice. The book also provides a critical analysis of the role of the media and the political establishment in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions.

In conclusion, Precarious Democracy is a powerful and insightful book that provides a comprehensive account of the transformations that Brazil has undergone in the 21st century. It demonstrates the importance of ethnography in understanding social and political change and offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that Brazil faces as it continues to navigate a rapidly changing world.

Weight: 633g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978825666