Democratic backsliding is a process often marked not by dramatic coups, but by subtle, legal maneuvers that gradually weaken democratic norms. This slow unraveling was evident in Brazil during the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, who served from 2019 to 2022. 

A former military officer himself, Bolsonaro capitalized on Brazil’s history of military rule, incorporating nationalist rhetoric, exploiting political polarization, and breaking government precedents to consolidate power. His militarization of government roles and increased policing are prime examples of how a democracy can erode from within.

To understand the impact of Bolsonaro’s presidency, it’s important to recognize Brazil’s history with military influence. From 1964 to 1985, Brazil was under a military dictatorship that left deep scars on its political landscape. The return to democracy in the late 20th century was hard-won, with institutions built to protect against the military’s overreach. 

Yet Bolsonaro, drawing on his own military background, reignited these historical tensions by integrating military figures into civilian governance, sparking concerns that Brazil was retracing its steps toward authoritarianism.

One of Bolsonaro’s most significant actions was appointing military officers to civilian roles at an unprecedented scale. By 2020, more than 6,000 military personnel held civilian positions, a marked increase compared to prior administrations. These placements included high-ranking roles such as General Walter Braga Netto as Chief of Staff, who wielded significant influence over national policy while retaining his military post through his time in office. 

Such moves blurred the lines between military and civilian governance, weakening democratic checks and balances and raising alarms both within Brazil and internationally.

Bolsonaro’s strategy fits within the framework of “stealth authoritarianism,” a term used by legal scholar Ozan Varol. Stealth authoritarianism refers to the use of seemingly lawful measures to entrench power while undermining democracy. 

In this case, while appointing military officials was technically legal, it subtly eroded the civilian oversight necessary for a healthy democracy. This practice enabled Bolsonaro to build a power base resistant to challenges and insulated from dissent. By embedding military personnel into key civilian roles, Bolsonaro’s administration fostered an environment where policing became a tool for maintaining authority and reinforcing nationalist ideals, contributing to the erosion of democratic norms.

Bolsonaro’s push for increased policing extended beyond government appointments. He championed aggressive policing tactics that encouraged the use of excessive force, particularly in Brazil’s marginalized communities. 

An example was a 2021 police raid in Rio de Janeiro that resulted in 28 deaths (an operation widely criticized for its brutality). Such incidents reflect Bolsonaro’s belief in forceful law enforcement as a tool to project strength and maintain order.

This increased militarization of policing was part of a broader strategy to consolidate power. Bolsonaro bypassed traditional oversight by appointing loyalists to key law enforcement positions, allowing him to influence police conduct and ensure loyalty within the force. 

This tactic weakened the impartiality of the police and eroded public trust in law enforcement institutions. The broader implication was the undermining of mechanisms meant to hold security forces accountable, a hallmark of democratic societies.

Bolsonaro’s use of militarization was intricately linked to his nationalist rhetoric. He positioned himself as the defender of Brazilian values and sovereignty, employing military imagery and language that resonated with national pride. This approach tied into a larger trend identified by scholars such as Luiza Bandeira and Roberta Braga, who highlighted how Bolsonaro’s rise was fueled by the country’s increasing polarization and distrust in political institutions. Between 2013 and 2018, economic hardships, corruption scandals (such as Operation Car Wash), and widespread crime had already heightened divisions in Brazilian society.

Bolsonaro capitalized on this environment by framing his militarized policies as necessary measures to combat chaos and uphold national strength. This nationalist posture not only justified his actions but deepened polarization, as supporters saw him as a bulwark against perceived threats from political opponents and external forces. 

The more divided the society became, the easier it was for Bolsonaro to push policies that would otherwise be met with strong resistance.

A crucial aspect of democratic erosion is the breaking of norms and precedents that, while not codified in law, form the foundation of democratic governance. Bolsonaro’s administration exemplified this by suggesting that the military might intervene in electoral disputes—a dangerous flirtation with authoritarian tactics. 

In 2021, for instance, military heads resigned after reportedly being pressured to align with Bolsonaro’s political aims. Such actions sent a clear message: the president was willing to bypass democratic norms to safeguard his power.

This behavior aligns with observations in How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, who argue that democratic erosion often begins with elected leaders subtly undermining norms. Bolsonaro’s rhetoric and actions demonstrated how a leader could use legally permissible moves, like military appointments and calls for militarized policing, to weaken democracy from the inside out.

The militarization of government and policing under Bolsonaro had both immediate and lasting effects. In the short term, these practices strained Brazil’s democratic institutions, eroded public trust, and heightened political divisions. Over the long term, such precedents set a troubling template for future leaders who might seek to consolidate power through similar means.

Bolsonaro’s strategies show how democratic backsliding is not always marked by overt coups or violence but can occur incrementally. By normalizing the presence of the military in civilian government and promoting aggressive policing tactics, Bolsonaro’s presidency demonstrated how elected leaders could use legal avenues to erode democracy while maintaining the façade of legitimacy.

Jair Bolsonaro’s presidency serves as a case study in modern democratic backsliding. Through the militarization of government roles and the endorsement of militarized policing, Bolsonaro blurred the lines between military and civilian spheres, leveraged nationalist rhetoric to deepen polarization, and disrupted democratic norms. 

These actions align with the theories of stealth authoritarianism and echo the warnings in How Democracies Die: democracy can be dismantled not in one fell swoop, but through a series of legal, norm-breaking actions that slowly undermine its foundations. 

The Brazilian experience serves as a cautionary tale for democracies worldwide, underscoring the need to safeguard democratic norms and prevent the consolidation of power under the guise of national security and order.