2. Democracy
Democracy is "a system of
government in which all the people of
a state or polity ... are involved in
making decisions about its affairs,
typically by voting to elect
representatives to a parliament or
similar assembly Democracy is further
defined as (a:) "government by the
people; especially : rule of the
majority (b:) " a government in which
the supreme power is vested in the
people and exercised by them directly
or indirectly through a system of
representation usually involving
periodically held free elections.
3. RESTORATION OF BRAZIL
Censorship in Brazil, both cultural
and political, occurred throughout the
whole period following the
colonization of the country. Even
though most state censorship ended
just before the period of
redemocratization that started in
1974, Brazil still experiences a small
amount of non-official censorship
today. The current legislation restricts
freedom of expression concerning
racism (Paim Law) and the
Constitution prohibits the anonymity
of journalists, although freedom of
speech is enforced.
4. RESTORATION OF BRAZIL
Transition towards democracy
The last military president, João
Figueiredo signed a general amnesty
into law and turned Geisel's
distensão into a gradual abertura
(the "opening" of the political
system), saying that his goal was "to
make this country a democracy".
The process of transition towards
democracy, that culminated in the
end of the military regime in 1985
and the adoption of a new,
democratic, Constitution in 1988,
was, however, troubled.
5. Democratization in Brazil
Section One would delineate the
theoretical scope of democratization and
prevalent definitions of democracy.
Section Two would enunciate Brazil’s early
political developments.
Section Three would delineate the re-
democratization process in Brazil during
the Third Wave of democratization.
Section Four would trace the political and
economic challenges which Brazil has
faced since the last decade.
Section Five would analyse the requisites
of democratic consolidation and explore
the road ahead for Brazil’s democracy.
Section Six would offer concluding
comments.
6. Rousseff Administration
On October 31, 2010, Dilma
Rousseff also from the Worker's
Party was the first woman elected
President of Brazil, with her term
beginning in the January 1, 2011. In
her winning speech, Rousseff, who
was also a key member in Lula's
administration, made clear that her
mission during her term will be to
keep enforcing her predecessor's
policies to mitigate poverty and
ensure Brazil's current economic
growth.
7. FREE ELECTIONS AT LAST
After that, things turned around quickly: By
1988, three years after the constitutional
assembly, the new Brazilian basic law and one
of the most progressive constitutions in Latin
America had been passed. On November 15,
1989, Brazilians were able to cast a free vote 25
years after the military coup.
According to Brazilian author Zuenir Ventura,
the country's return to democracy 30 years
ago is one of the best chapters of Brazil's
history. "The Diretas Ja movement brought
back hope," he wrote in a column for daily "O
Globo." "The people protested in a peaceful
and disciplined manner for democracy. This
dignity can't be compared to protests these
days."
8. EXILED BRAZILIANS PLAYED THEIR
PART
"I am sure that their souls sang
when they landed in Rio,"
Rousseff said in reference to the
anthem during an official
ceremony at Rio de Janeiro's
airport. Rousseff, who was also
part of the resistance movement,
said Brazilians returning from
exile gave momentum to the
push for democracy.
