Populism has played an important role in the shaping of Brazilian politics over the past century. An approach that pits “the people” against “the elite,” populism thrives under conditions of economic uncertainty, political distrust, and social inequality, which have dominated Brazil’s modern history. There have been populist leaders from both the left and the right, from Getlio Vargas’ labor-oriented policies in the 1930s to Jair Bolsonaro’s polarizing rhetoric in recent years. The history of populism in Brazil, as well as key political figures and its lasting impact on democracy, is explored in this essay.

We cannot properly discuss populism without talking about Getúlio Vargas and his rise to power. He was a dictator in 1930 and then returned as an elected president in 1951. In 1937, he staged a coup. Vargas had a way with the people. He took pride in the fact that he was able to pass labor reform, and he also increased industrialization. Vargas was referred to as the “pai dos pobres” which translates to father of the poor. Vargas leveraged radio stations to foster a connection with Brazilians, particularly emphasizing his bond with the working class. His efforts to improve workers’ conditions were central to his leadership, as he sought to enhance their quality of life and strengthen his populist appeal. By framing his policies as beneficial to the nation, Vargas used his platform to justify his actions and solidify his influence.

Another strong figure of populism in Brazil would be Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He was elected president in 2002, and he worked to represent the Workers’ Party. Bolsa Familia, a program that provided assistance to low-income families under his administration, was a key program to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion. During Lula’s presidency, there was a divide between the working class and the power elite social class.

Leaping towards 2018, Jair Bolsonaro was the president from 2019-2023. His political views were right-wing nationalist and socially conservative. A variety of frustrations, including corruption, crime, and the political establishment, gave Bolsonaro the opportunity to capitalize on widespread discontent. Jair Bolsonaro put an effort into presenting himself as a “regular” constituent when the legislation he approved and passed says otherwise. He relied heavily on social media to communicate directly with his supporters, as he didn’t trust the news stations to broadcast his messages effectively. Through his social media, he and his administration published misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic. As the leader of Brazil, the people relied on him to inform them and give them direction on how to handle this situation, and Bolsonaro completely mishandled this. According to Alfredo Saad Filho with King’s College London, Brazil had “the worst pandemic response in the world.” The hospitals were suffering, and the human death toll exceeded seven hundred thousand. There are ongoing investigations into Jair Bolsonaro and how he handled the COVID-19 outbreak in Brazil.

To conclude populism in Brazil has been a force that shaped the nation for nearly a century. We have seen populism affect the nation’s leadership and political direction. While these approaches have contributed to social gains and political engagement at times, they have also contributed to institutional instability, public distrust, and democratic challenges. Despite Brazil’s complex political landscape, populism remains deeply embedded in its democratic process and is likely to continue to influence it for some time to come.

Filho, Alfredo Saad. “Coronavirus: How Brazil Became the Second Worst Affected Country in the World | Feature from King’s College London.” Www.kcl.ac.uk, 14 July 2020, www.kcl.ac.uk/coronavirus-how-brazil-became-the-second-worst-affected-country-in-the-world.