An erosion of democracy is taking place worldwide. Professor Avritzer explores the current dilemmas of democracy in the Brazilian case. Anti-democratic attitudes have gained increased salience in the country, following the impeachment of a president, repeated corruption scandals, and the election of an outsider (Jair Bolsonaro) with clear authoritarian tendencies in 2018.

The weakening of political institutions created fertile ground for populist attacks on democracy. The first 27 months of Jair Bolsonaro's administration have been marked by erratic behaviour by the president, unceasing conflict amongst political groups, volatile coalitions, and disdain for public policy.  The Covid-19 pandemic has further deepened conflicts. In this presentation Professor Avritzer will analyse the crisis of the Bolsonaro administration in Brazil.

About the speaker

Leonardo Avritzer is a Professor of Political Science and the Director of the Institute of Democracy and the Democratization of Communication at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).

He was President of the Brazilian Political Science Association (ABCP) from 2014 to 2016. In 2020 his book The Pendulum of Democracy (Todavia, 2019) won the Vitor Nunes Leal prize for the best book by an ABCP member.

Professor Avritzer has a BA in social science and an MA in political science from the Federal University of Minas Gerais and a PhD in political science from the New School for Social Research.

His books include Democracy and the Public Space in Latin America (Princeton University Press, 2002), Participatory Institutions in Democratic Brazil (Wilson Center Press, 2009), and Politica e Antipolitica: A Crise do Governo Bolsonaro (Todavia, 2020).