The Bolsonaro Paradox. The Public Sphere and Right-Wing Counterpublicity in Contemporary Brazil

Description

This book presents the first in-depth academic investigation published in English about one of the most radical incarnations of the current global wave of new right-wing movements and governments: the movement that brought to power the current Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro. The rise of this new right-wing movement in Brazil came as a surprise to many analysts who used to see the country as a successful example of the implementation of progressive social policies in the first decade of the 21st century, and posed many questions to those seeking to understand the role Brazil now plays in the development of this international far-right wave. The authors of this volume try to answer some of these questions by presenting the results of an extensive field research conducted over the years with Bolsonaro supporters and members of the new Brazilian right-wing movements. They have analyzed quantitative and especially qualitative data to accompany the accelerated transformations of the Brazilian public sphere, starting from small liberal and conservative groups on social media towards larger audiences via book publishing, the education system, the mainstream media, and the political-party system. By framing the Brazilian case in the wider international political scenario, The Bolsonaro Paradox: The Public Sphere and Right-Wing Counterpublicity in Contemporary Brazil will be an invaluable resource for sociologists, political scientists, international relations scholars and other social scientists – as well as to journalists and political analysts – interested in better understanding the role Brazil plays in the global rise of new far-right movements and governments. Foreword Preface Contents Abbreviations Chapter 1: Introduction References Chapter 2: The New Brazilian Right: Radical and Shameless 2.1 The Traditional Right: Hayek and the Fight Against Communism 2.2 The New Right’s Emergence: Mises and the Combat of “Leftist Cultural Hegemony” 2.3 The Institutionalization of the Nascent New Right References Chapter 3: The Conservative Reaction and the June 2013 Revolts 3.1 The “Progressive Shock” and the Conservative Reaction 3.2 The Protest Cycle and the Revolts of June 2013 References Chapter 4: Bolsonaro’s Rise 4.1 The Impeachment Campaign (2014–2016) 4.2 Toward Bolsonaro’s Election (2016–2018) 4.2.1 Public Security and the Militarization of Life 4.2.2 Meritocracy and Victimism 4.2.3 Corruption and Anti-politics 4.2.4 Moralization and Christianization of Life 4.2.5 Pop Hatred and the Language of the People References Chapter 5: Conclusion References Index