Political Parties and Systems in Brazil: A Historical Overview
PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEMS IN BRAZIL
The Empire (1822-1889)
March 25, 1824: The monarchical constitution was awarded, marking a period of independence and resistance against Portuguese rule. Influenced by a slave society and a census voting system based on property measured in cassava flour, the early years were characterized by conflict between the emperor and constituents. This conflict stemmed from political actions aimed at preventing D. Pedro I from being both the Emperor of Brazil and the King of Portugal. This eventually led to the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly on November 12, 1823, and the enactment of a constitution establishing four branches: Executive, Legislative, Judicial, and Moderator. The Moderator branch combined two powers exercised by the Emperor, with two others under his control, in a society where all men had supposedly gained their freedom.
Key Parties:
- Conservative
- Liberal
- Republican Party (formed after the Itu Convention in 1873)
The Old Republic (1889-1930)
February 24, 1891: A new constitution was enacted to legitimize and consolidate the power resulting from the Republican military action led by Deodoro da Fonseca, which deposed the monarchy on November 15, 1889. Inspired by liberal ideals from the United States, the constitution aimed to establish a new social order based on free labor, a federal system, and a presidential government. The constitution, promulgated by a Constituent Assembly with a liberal professional profile led by Rui Barbosa, saw increasing military involvement due to their political rise after the Paraguayan War in 1870. A key feature was the high level of autonomy granted to states, which was later modified in the 1926 constitutional reform under President Arthur Bernardes.
Characteristics:
- Political Regionalism
- Influence of International Parties
The Vargas Era (1930-1945)
This period was marked by regional disputes and the influence of municipal departments on the political landscape.
Brazilian Populism (1945-1964)
Key Developments:
- Emergence of modern national parties
- International division of the left
The Military Regime (1964-1985)
Characteristics:
- A bipartisan structure
- The rise of contemporary political movements
CONSTITUTIONAL MILESTONES
1932: The Birth of Electoral Justice
The new electoral code established secret and compulsory voting, granting women the right to vote and be elected. This marked the creation of the Electoral Justice system in Brazil.
1934 Constitution: A Response to Global Shifts
July 16, 1934: The 1934 Constitution reflected the post-World War I scenario, where the socialist regime in the Soviet Union and the rise of fascism in Italy challenged the dominance of political liberalism led by the United States. The constitution incorporated secret voting, female suffrage, and the creation of Electoral Justice and labor laws such as minimum wage, eight-hour workday, and recognition of trade unions.
1937: The Estado Novo and Authoritarianism
November 10, 1937: The constitution granted by Getúlio Vargas’s government marked the rise of authoritarianism, influenced by both socialist internationalism and Italian fascism. Vargas, seeking to maintain power, used the pretext of the Communist uprising in 1935 and the upcoming presidential elections to stage a self-coup and establish the Estado Novo, a centralized and dictatorial regime.
1946 Constitution: A Return to Democracy
September 18, 1946: The 1946 Constitution, promulgated after World War II and the end of Vargas’s dictatorship, established free elections and independence among the branches of government. However, the absence of a strong culture of rights and institutional fragility characterized the populism of this era.
THE POST-WAR ERA AND THE ROAD TO MILITARY RULE
The post-war period was marked by political tensions of the Cold War, economic development initiatives, and the rise and fall of Getúlio Vargas’s second presidency. Key events include the creation of Petrobras, Vargas’s suicide in 1954, and the inauguration of Brasília in 1960.
The 1960s saw increasing political instability, culminating in the military coup of 1964 that overthrew President João Goulart. The military regime, characterized by repression and authoritarianism, implemented a series of Institutional Acts that restricted civil liberties and consolidated power in the executive branch.
THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY
Despite the repressive environment, various groups, including students, workers, and artists, resisted the military regime. The late 1960s and 1970s witnessed student protests, labor strikes, and the emergence of guerrilla movements. The military responded with further repression, including censorship, torture, and disappearances.
The gradual process of democratization began in the late 1970s, leading to the end of the military regime in 1985 and the promulgation of a new democratic constitution in 1988.
This historical overview provides a glimpse into the complex evolution of political parties and systems in Brazil, highlighting the ongoing struggle for democracy and social justice.