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https://theconversation.com/brazil-insurrection-how-so-many-brazilians-came-to-attack-their-own-government-197547>
"The storming of the three main symbols of the Brazilian republic – the supreme
court, the national congress and the presidential palace – is the kind of event
that could shape the country’s history. While Brazil has gone through military
coups and social turmoil since it became independent in 1822, never before have
Brazilians witnessed such widespread disregard for political institutions.
This is a story that starts around 2018, when Jair Bolsonaro – then a
lacklustre congressman known for supporting the military dictatorship and
publicly praising notorious torturers – launched his presidential candidacy. In
the name of God, the fatherland and traditional family values, the retired army
captain vowed to “drain the swamp” of politics and usher in a new era for
Brazil.
In his vision, state policies would no longer be necessary. Political authority
would naturally stem from business people, religious leaders, armed militiamen
and – above all – the president’s messianic figure.
This combination of authoritarian populism and social Darwinism is not new. It
lies at the foundations of far-right movements that have gained momentum
worldwide in recent years. And it sheds light on the Bolsonarist phenomenon,
helping us make sense of Brazil’s “black Sunday”."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
