FROM MILITARY AUTHORITARIANISM TO THE NEW DEMOCRACY (1964-89) BRAZIL FROM MILITARY AUTHORITARIANISM TO THE NEW DEMOCRACY (1964-89)

Unsuccessful Reform Under Castelo Branco: 1964 – 1966 Constitutional Act? “Soft” demobilization of the most militant Vargas forces Elections of 1966 Pro-Vargas forces victorious Results not allowed to stand

Political Parties and Controlled Election Dynamics Controlled two-party system (Constitution of 1966) ARENA PMDB After 1979 the “controlled two party system” begins to favor the opposition Legalization of additional political parties Electoral laws discriminate against large cities

Military Regime and its Governments (Round One) Arturo Costa e Silva (1966-69) Initially straddling the middle Removal following a stroke Emilio Garrastazú Medici (1969-74) Nationalism Economic growth OBAN – Dark Side

Military Regime and its Governments (Round 2) Ernesto Geisel (1974-79) Economic growth slows Assertion of government control over shadowy terror apparatus João Figueiredo (1979-85) Dividing of the opposition More economic difficulties Designing an exit strategy

Brazilian Military Presidents Castelo Branco (1964 – 1967) Costa e Silva (1967 – 1969) João Baptista Figueiredo (1979 - 1985) Emílio Médici (1969 – 1974) Ernesto Geisel (1974 - 1979)

Why an Exit Strategy? International investors felt insecure/feared blowup Catholic Church and the base communities Modernized sectors lost faith in capability of the military to develop the country Neighborhood organizations in the favelas of the large cities Women as opponents of the military government

On the other hand! Rural Northeast remained a stronghold of anti-democratic forces

Rural Northeast Remains a Stronghold of Traditionalist Interests Large land-owners control the countryside Politicians allied with military control state governments Violence against lower classes more prevalent than in rest of the country

The Transition Begins (1985) Short-lived triumph of Trancredo Neves Split between Northeast traditionalists and business community of São Paulo Military fearful of domestic insurgency José Sarney: a second accidental presidency Led ARENA political party in the senate during military regime “Political Godfather” of the Northeast

The Transition (1986 – 1990) José Sarney: a second accidental presidency Transitory economic recovery Economic downturn of 1986/87 Writing a new constitution (1987-88) Constitutional convention dominated by traditional political class Two rounds of voting for president if no candidate has first round majority Senate & Chamber of deputies favors traditional areas of the country

Presidential Election of 1989: First Round Fragmented left coalesces Brizola’s geographically constrained base Lula and the PT make strides toward creating a truly national political party The Right hangs on GLOBO & Fernando Collor Regional leaders in control of congress

Presidential Election of 1989: Second Round Fernando Collor (53%) Luis Ignacio “LULA” de Silva (47%)