Beyond Elections: what can Brazil tell us about democracy?

Representation and accountability are essential for the proper functioning of democracy. Through a close examination of Brazil since the 1990’s, this project investigates the conditions that make a country move toward stronger representation and accountability. Like many Latin American countries, Brazil was neither an institutionalized nor a representative democracy in the 1990s. Although the president was held accountable at the ballot box, power was concentrated in the office of the executive branch. Since then, however, Brazil has developed stronger accountability and institutionalization. Three conditions will be examined: (a) a presidential impeachment, (b) the creation of institutional agencies to prevent corruption, and (c) the stabilization of the economy. The analysis will rely on interviews with Brazilian legislators, as well as on the examination of archival and media material from the 1990s to the present moment. This research will shed light on the mechanisms that can lead toward representation and accountability in democracy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Pablo Policzer

Student:

Partner:

Universidade de Brasília

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Globalink Research Award