Brazil, 25 years of democracy – a critical survey: public policies, institutions, civil society and political culture – 1988/2013

JOSÉ ALVARO MOISÉS

Abstract

Brazilian democracy will have lasted for a quarter of a century in 2013. In more than 120 years as a republic, this is the second time the country has had a sustained period of democracy. For the sixth consecutive time, elections in 2010 showed that popular participation and political competition are solid components of the Brazilian political system. But free and fair elections does not necessarily ensure that the rule of law, universal access to civil, political, social and economic rights, and the necessary monitoring of politicians and governments are completely established in the country. The analysis of the quality of the new Brazilian democracy (1988-2013) focuses then on the relationship between democratic principles, institutional procedures, political participation and public policies implementation. Questions about responsiveness and accountability are therefore paramount. Preliminary results of the research points to a paradox. More than two-thirds of the public prefer the democratic regime, but the public evaluation of democratic institutions and some public policies is increasingly negative. Brazilians are concerned about the quality of education and high levels of criminality and are very critical about the performance of the National Congress and the political parties, but at the same time do not show to be much active in political life out of elections.