
Professor Anthony Pereira
Professor of Brazilian Studies
Research interests
- Conflict
- Human Rights
- Politics
Biography
Professor Anthony Pereira graduate from the University of Sussex in 1982 with a BA in Politics and then in 1986 obtained an MA in Government from Harvard University. His PhD dissertation at Harvard, defended in 1991, focused on the role of rural trade unions in northeast Brazil in expanding democratic rights in two different periods, the early 1960s before the military coup of 1964 and the late 1970s and 1980s, when Brazil’s authoritarian regime was ending. This research led to the publication of the book 'The End of the Peasantry: The Rural Labor Movement in Northeast Brazil, 1961-1988' (University of Pittsburgh Press, 1997).
Professor Pereira’s next major research project was on the treatment of dissidents and opponents by the authoritarian regimes in Brazil (1964-85), Argentina (1976-83) and Chile (1973-90). Professor Pereira argued that Brazil’s more judicial approach resulted in an “authoritarian legalism” that bound judicial and military actors within the military court system and shaped the treatment of political prisoners but also created an official transcript that made a rupture with this approach more difficult after the transition to democracy. This research resulted in the book Political (In)justice: Authoritarianism and the Rule of Law in Brazil, Chile and Argentina (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2005) which was published in Brazil as Ditadura e Repressão (Paz e Terra, 2010).
Before joining King’s in 2010, where he is also a Professor of International Development, Professor Pereira held positions at the New School for Social Research in New York City, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in the Boston area, and Tulane University in New Orleans, all in the United States, and the University of East Anglia in the UK.
He has also been a visiting professor at the Federal University of Pernambuco in Recife, the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, and the International Relations Institute of the University of São Paulo in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. His recent books include (with Lauro Mattei) The Brazilian Economy Today: Towards a New Socio-Economic Model? (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015); (with Jeff Garmany) Understanding Contemporary Brazil (Routledge, 2018) and Modern Brazil: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2020). He was President of the Brazilian Studies Association (BRASA) from 2014 to 2016 and is an occasional commentator on Brazil in the media.
Research
- The political drivers of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon
- The rise and transformation of the Federal Police as an actor in Brazil’s democracy
- The rise of national populism and its impact on democracy in Brazil and Brazil’s role in international politics
Teaching
Undergraduate/Postgraduate
4YYD001 Introduction to Development Studies (with Alice Evans)
7YYBS001 Contemporary Brazil
PhD supervision
See Anthony's research students
Further details
Research

Social Justice research group
Identifying the societal impacts of rapid economic and technological change, as well as the societal impacts of intensified engagement in global networks and mobilities.

Governance, leadership and democracy
This research group explores Brazil's transition to democracy, the quality of democracy, transitional justice and human rights.

Global (Anti)corruption Studies research group
A research group examining corruption and anticorruption in the Global South.

Authoritarianism and populism research group
Examining the rise and effects of authoritarianism and populism.
News
Indigenous people in Brazil at risk of losing their right to land following controversial court case
King’s Academic warns how the state decision could set a precedent for many other cases unless overruled by the Supreme Court

Introducing a new Director for the King's Brazil Institute
The Brazil Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Director, Dr Vinicius de Carvalho

Brazil Institute awarded 2018 Order of Cultural Merit in Brazil
The King's Brazil Institute has been awarded a knight's status of the Order of Cultural Merit by the Government of Brazil – the only European institute to...

Events

Long transitions: Policies of reparations and memory of authoritarian regimes and support for democracy in Argentina and Brazil
This presentation will be held by Oswaldo Amaral (Political Science, Unicamp) on how authoritarian regimes and support for Democracy have impacted Argentina...
Please note: this event has passed.

Book Discussion - Decadent Developmentalism: The Political Economy of Democratic Brazil by Matthew Taylor
A panel organised by the King’s Brazil Institute and the Department of Political Economy to discuss Dr Matthew Taylor’s new book Decadent Developmentalism:...
Please note: this event has passed.

Brazil Week: Opening Lecture
Join us for the official opening of Brazil Week 2021, with the launch of the King's Brazil Institute's 10 year report and a lecture by Professor Anthony...
Please note: this event has passed.

Brazil 36 Years After the End of the Military Regime: Celebration and Concern
A celebration of Brazil’s 36th anniversary of re-democratisation, reflecting on some of the most important challenges that remain for the country in its...
Please note: this event has passed.

Eleições Municipais no Brasil: Pontos e contrapontos
A discussion on the upcoming municipal elections in Brazil
Please note: this event has passed.

WORLD: we got this | Brazil in focus
Join us for this discussion on how COVID-19 has impacted Brazil and the decline of its economy.
Please note: this event has passed.

Building Brazil's collective memory: Brazil Week 2020 opening ceremony
Join us in celebrating Brazil Week 2020 with keynote speaker, Dr Andreza de Souza Santos followed by a concert with King's Brazil Ensemble.
Please note: this event has passed.

Closing ceremony and panel on environmental disasters in Brazil
Join us for Brazil Week 2020 closing ceremony, with documentary about the disaster in Brumadinho, followed by a panel on dams in Brazil.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Brazil's military is supposed to safeguard democracy – yet its threat of intervention hangs over politics
Anthony Pereira, Visiting Professor at the School of Global Affairs, discusses the role of the armed forces in the Brazilian state.

Brazil election: victorious Lula faces an uphill struggle – a damaged economy and a deeply divided country
Following Lula's presidential election win, Anthony Pereira discusses some of the struggles he now faces.

Populism: What Next?
Ahead of a two-day conference entitled 'Populism in Latin America and Beyond', Professor Anthony Pereira explores what happens next to the the defining...

Donald Trump gets coronavirus: what catching COVID-19 meant for Boris Johnson and Jair Bolsonaro
The Conversation asked two experts on British and Brazilian politics to assess what impact catching COVID-19 had on the two leaders.

Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro has coronavirus – what it could mean for him politically
What political questions's does President Bolsonaro's COVID diagnosis raise?

Why Bolsonaro is not solely to blame for Brazil's politics
Professor Anthony Pereira and Dr Jeff Garmany explores just how much Bolsonaro has caused Brazil’s current political polarisation.

Trading beyond Brexit: is the UK ready?
Experts from King’s College London give their views on the UK’s current position and look at the challenges the UK faces in relation to securing its place...

Spotlight
Spotlight on COVID: The impact of the pandemic on Brazil
Professor Anthony Pereira, Director of King's Brazil Institute, discusses the future of President Bolsonaro and how his leadership in dealing with the...

Research

Social Justice research group
Identifying the societal impacts of rapid economic and technological change, as well as the societal impacts of intensified engagement in global networks and mobilities.

Governance, leadership and democracy
This research group explores Brazil's transition to democracy, the quality of democracy, transitional justice and human rights.

Global (Anti)corruption Studies research group
A research group examining corruption and anticorruption in the Global South.

Authoritarianism and populism research group
Examining the rise and effects of authoritarianism and populism.
News
Indigenous people in Brazil at risk of losing their right to land following controversial court case
King’s Academic warns how the state decision could set a precedent for many other cases unless overruled by the Supreme Court

Introducing a new Director for the King's Brazil Institute
The Brazil Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Director, Dr Vinicius de Carvalho

Brazil Institute awarded 2018 Order of Cultural Merit in Brazil
The King's Brazil Institute has been awarded a knight's status of the Order of Cultural Merit by the Government of Brazil – the only European institute to...

Events

Long transitions: Policies of reparations and memory of authoritarian regimes and support for democracy in Argentina and Brazil
This presentation will be held by Oswaldo Amaral (Political Science, Unicamp) on how authoritarian regimes and support for Democracy have impacted Argentina...
Please note: this event has passed.

Book Discussion - Decadent Developmentalism: The Political Economy of Democratic Brazil by Matthew Taylor
A panel organised by the King’s Brazil Institute and the Department of Political Economy to discuss Dr Matthew Taylor’s new book Decadent Developmentalism:...
Please note: this event has passed.

Brazil Week: Opening Lecture
Join us for the official opening of Brazil Week 2021, with the launch of the King's Brazil Institute's 10 year report and a lecture by Professor Anthony...
Please note: this event has passed.

Brazil 36 Years After the End of the Military Regime: Celebration and Concern
A celebration of Brazil’s 36th anniversary of re-democratisation, reflecting on some of the most important challenges that remain for the country in its...
Please note: this event has passed.

Eleições Municipais no Brasil: Pontos e contrapontos
A discussion on the upcoming municipal elections in Brazil
Please note: this event has passed.

WORLD: we got this | Brazil in focus
Join us for this discussion on how COVID-19 has impacted Brazil and the decline of its economy.
Please note: this event has passed.

Building Brazil's collective memory: Brazil Week 2020 opening ceremony
Join us in celebrating Brazil Week 2020 with keynote speaker, Dr Andreza de Souza Santos followed by a concert with King's Brazil Ensemble.
Please note: this event has passed.

Closing ceremony and panel on environmental disasters in Brazil
Join us for Brazil Week 2020 closing ceremony, with documentary about the disaster in Brumadinho, followed by a panel on dams in Brazil.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Brazil's military is supposed to safeguard democracy – yet its threat of intervention hangs over politics
Anthony Pereira, Visiting Professor at the School of Global Affairs, discusses the role of the armed forces in the Brazilian state.

Brazil election: victorious Lula faces an uphill struggle – a damaged economy and a deeply divided country
Following Lula's presidential election win, Anthony Pereira discusses some of the struggles he now faces.

Populism: What Next?
Ahead of a two-day conference entitled 'Populism in Latin America and Beyond', Professor Anthony Pereira explores what happens next to the the defining...

Donald Trump gets coronavirus: what catching COVID-19 meant for Boris Johnson and Jair Bolsonaro
The Conversation asked two experts on British and Brazilian politics to assess what impact catching COVID-19 had on the two leaders.

Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro has coronavirus – what it could mean for him politically
What political questions's does President Bolsonaro's COVID diagnosis raise?

Why Bolsonaro is not solely to blame for Brazil's politics
Professor Anthony Pereira and Dr Jeff Garmany explores just how much Bolsonaro has caused Brazil’s current political polarisation.

Trading beyond Brexit: is the UK ready?
Experts from King’s College London give their views on the UK’s current position and look at the challenges the UK faces in relation to securing its place...

Spotlight
Spotlight on COVID: The impact of the pandemic on Brazil
Professor Anthony Pereira, Director of King's Brazil Institute, discusses the future of President Bolsonaro and how his leadership in dealing with the...
