The Rule of Law in Brazil: The Legal Construction of Inequality

This book provides a comprehensive view of the rule of law in Brazil, highlighting its development in the legal system and the political institutions and extra-legal organizations that have shaped it. Despite Brazil's young democracy and challenges from inequality and authoritarianism, the book explores whether its democratic achievements and institutional framework are sufficient to enforce the rule of law as an imperative for its development.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 28 July 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive book offers a broad and insightful examination of the functioning, evolution, and dynamics of the rule of law in Brazil. It delves not only into the development of the legal system but also into the transformative impact of political institutions and extra-legal organizations on the foundations of the rule of law. Defining the rule of law in a country as complex as Brazil is a multifaceted task, similar to many other Latin American nations. Brazil, like many other Latin American countries, is a young democracy grappling with the challenges of entrenched extractive institutions and powerful interests. However, it also boasts a significant constitutional moment when civil society actively participated in drafting the most democratic constitution in the country's history.

Since then, Brazil has made strides in strengthening its institutions and the rule of law, but the road to consolidating them has been fraught with inequality and the legacies of an authoritarian past. The book explores how Brazilian democracy has navigated the high levels of social inequality and the authoritarian mindset that continue to play a significant role in shaping its destiny. It raises important questions about whether the country's democratic achievements and institutional framework are robust enough to uphold the rule of law as an essential requirement for its development, particularly in times of utmost need.

Through a detailed analysis of historical events, legal frameworks, and social movements, the book sheds light on the complex interplay between the rule of law, democracy, and social justice in Brazil. It examines the challenges faced by the country in promoting equality, combating corruption, and ensuring the protection of human rights. The book also explores the role of the judiciary, civil society organizations, and the media in promoting the rule of law and holding government institutions accountable.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the study of the rule of law in Brazil and beyond. It offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the country in its quest for a more just and democratic society. By examining the historical, legal, and social factors that shape the rule of law in Brazil, the book provides insights into the strategies and mechanisms that can be employed to strengthen and consolidate the rule of law in other countries facing similar challenges.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509934959