by PublicABCP
Translated and reviewed by Matheus Lucas Hebling
The book “A disputa pela democracia no Brasil: ativismos em contextos turbulentos”, edited by Rebecca Neaera Abers, Debora Rezende de Almeida, and Marisa von Bülow, explores the role of activists and social movements in Brazil during a decade of major political instability. Published by Zouk, the volume brings together a series of analyses on how various groups responded to and influenced the country’s political transformations. All three editors are affiliated with the Institute of Political Science at the University of Brasília (UnB).
The work highlights the central role played by social movements in the turbulent political context spanning from 2013 to 2023. Through case studies, the authors examine a wide range of movements—including environmental, LGBTQIA+, housing, and social assistance movements—investigating how they interacted with the political system and the significant challenges and contributions they brought to social and political change in Brazil.
The book’s methodology is grounded in detailed case studies conducted by postgraduate students from the Research Group on Society-State Relations (Resocie) at UnB’s Institute of Political Science. The authors used qualitative interviews and document analysis, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the strategies and practices adopted by various activist groups. This qualitative approach offers in-depth insight into the dynamics between social movements and political institutions.
The book’s key findings reveal the diversity of experiences across different social movements during this turbulent period. For some, the decade brought dramatic change; others experienced continuity in a longstanding history of exclusion.
Rather than adopting a simplified or polarised view of Brazilian politics, the book identifies three broad interpretations of this turbulent period: some movements perceived it as a threat to previous achievements; others emphasised long-standing structural weaknesses; and a third group saw new opportunities to push their agendas forward.
These differing perspectives underscore the complexity of interactions between social movements and the political system, showing how these actors not only challenge institutional power but also play a role in driving social change.
The book sheds light on the significance of these movements in Brazilian political life, offering a richer understanding of their role in shaping public policy, legislation, and electoral processes. By providing a detailed analysis of the interplay between activists and political institutions, it offers a more nuanced and comprehensive view of social and political transformations during times of instability.
Author Profiles
Rebecca N. Abers is an associate professor at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Brasília (UnB). She co-coordinates the Research Group on Society-State Relations (Resocie) and is co-editor-in-chief of the Brazilian Journal of Political Science. She holds a CNPq productivity scholarship.
Debora Rezende de Almeida is a professor at the Institute of Political Science at UnB. She co-coordinates the Research Group on Society-State Relations (Resocie) and is co-editor-in-chief of the Brazilian Journal of Political Science. She is also a CNPq productivity scholarship holder.
Marisa von Bülow is an associate professor at the Institute of Political Science at UnB. She holds a CNPq productivity scholarship and is one of the coordinators of the Research Group on Society-State Relations (Resocie).
Publication Details
Title: A disputa pela democracia no Brasil: ativismos em contextos turbulentos
Editors: Rebecca Neaera Abers, Debora Rezende de Almeida, and Marisa von Bülow
Publisher: Zouk
Year of Publication: 2023
ISBN: 9786557781203
Availability: Zouk Publishing House – or free PDF available
