Chatham House Primer: Understanding Brazil

As voters head to the polls, Chatham House looks at where Brazil finds itself after four years of Bolsonaroism. A post-event reception will follow this event.

Members event
13 September 2022 — 6:00PM TO 6:45PM
Chatham House 10 St James’s Square London SW1Y 4LE United Kingdom

Four years since Jair Bolsonaro swept to power, the ‘Trump of the tropics’ has set about defining a new era in Brazilian politics. A political outsider in 2018, the president has attacked the judicial system, rhetorically attacked political and civil society critics and the media, and is already decrying the validity of voting in the event he should lose the 2 October/29 October two-round presidential elections.

This Primer session will offer members the unique opportunity to learn the latest insight on Brazilian politics as the country heads through a defining moment in its recent history.

Leave with 3 key learnings that will help guide your understanding of Brazil today.

The key questions include:

  • With a brief recap of the last four years of Brazilian politics, what are the major incidents to note?

  • How can ‘Bolsonaroism’ be best described?

  • What is meant by ‘beef, bible and bullets’ and how does the concept interact with Brazilian politics?

  • How is the electoral challenge shaping up?

  • What are the major challenges in the Brazilian economy?

  • Where and who are the support for both Lula and Bolsonaro?

  • How has Brazil’s global role changed under Bolsonaro and what effect could the elections have on its diplomatic and economic profile?

As with all Chatham House member events, questions from members drive the conversation.

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