Democracy is a regime where the population participates in politics equally, either directly or through elected representatives. Democracy in Brazil has been covered in the international press lately, and among the reasons for such repercussion are the corruption and accusations of fraud in electronic voting machines.

Find out more about the advances and challenges of this political system below. 👇🏻


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After a period of military dictatorship (1964-1985), Brazil officially adopted a democratic regime in 1988, with the proclamation of the Federal Constitution. Being a federative republic represented by three powers: Executive, Legislative and Judiciary that coincide with each other, as established in the constitution. The people's participation is guaranteed through direct elections.


Advances in democracy 📈

In recent years, Brazil has made important strides in strengthening its democracy. The return to democracy in 1985 and the 1988 Constitution laid the foundation for civil, social, and political rights. The adoption of electronic voting machines in 1996 ensured greater transparency and prevented fraud.

There has been growing political participation from historically marginalized groups, including women, black people, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Strengthened institutions, like the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), have been vital in maintaining stability.

Social programs like "Bolsa Família" have reduced poverty, while civil society demands more transparency through the 2011 Freedom of Information Act. Despite these advances, challenges like political polarization and corruption remain.


Challenges in Brazilian democracy 📌

Even with democratic advances in Brazil, there are still many challenges to promoting a fair and balanced population, such as:

•Political polarization: Increasing ideological conflicts make dialogue between sectors of society and Congress difficult, hindering the search for consensus.

•Corruption: Corruption weakens trust in institutions and the political process. Despite progress in combating it, there is still a perception of impunity and a need for more transparency.

•Social and economic inequality: A large portion of the population is limited in political participation due to a lack of access to basic rights, preventing the full exercise of citizenship.

•Institutional fragility: Crises, such as disputes between branches of government or attacks on the electoral system, weaken confidence in institutions, requiring their strengthening to ensure stability.

•Disinformation and fake news: The spread of false news distorts public debate and can negatively influence elections, making it essential to combat disinformation and promote media literacy.



Repórter: Chayane Maria
Redigido por: Cleidyane Vieira