Research investigates the role of international pressure in defending Brazilian democracy
Autocratization in Brazil was fought by transnational networks that acted in defense of democracy, from the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff to the defeat of Jair Bolsonaro in the 2022 presidential elections.
In recent years, Brazilian democracy has faced serious risks of institutional erosion, especially during the last administration. From the impeachment of former president Dilma Rousseff in 2016 to the attacks on institutions and the press that culminated in violent demonstrations against the buildings of the Three Branches of Government on January 8, 2023, the country has gone through a process of political polarization and social discontent that has threatened its democratic foundations. In this context, a complex articulation between national and international actors emerged as a response to these threats.
The role of international pressure proved to be fundamental in the process of defending democracy in Brazil. It was therefore necessary to investigate how transnational networks of activists, academics and politicians played a decisive role in increasing pressure against autocratization and preserving the functioning of democratic institutions in the country.
The research, carried out by Guilherme Casarões from FGV EAESP, together with Déborah Monte and Matheus Hernandez, was published in the journal Third World Quarterly. The study used process tracing methodology, which seeks to connect historical events to explain a specific phenomenon, analyzing documents, interviews and primary data. In addition, the research examined five crucial phases of transnational mobilization against autocratization in Brazil. The phases begin with Dilma Rousseff's impeachment in 2016 and run until Bolsonaro's defeat in 2022.
The research identified three main groups of actors who resisted autocratization in Brazil and mobilized international pressure: institutional, political and social defenders.
While institutional defenders (such as the judiciary and Congress) acted mainly at the national level, political and social defenders relied on transnational networks to raise the costs of autocratic actions and maintain their international legitimacy. These networks were essential in preventing Bolsonaro's re-election and thwarting his attempts to annul the results of the 2022 elections.
Finally, the research concludes that transnational networks have played a key role in defending Brazilian democracy. They have the power to act together with civil society and local political institutions. Therefore, the combination of domestic and international efforts created a crucial barrier against autocratization, demonstrating that the fight for democracy is globally interconnected. The Brazilian case study serves as an inspiration for other nations facing similar threats. This is because the research shows that democratic resilience depends on both local actors and global networks.
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