BRAZIL is an interesting place, and it has become even more interesting after Jair Bolsonaro came into power. I haven’t written about him before mainly because my knowledge of Brazil and Brazilian politics in general is limited, but Bolsonaro is shaping up to be a major world figure at this point in time.
Not only is he a populist, he also echoes many of the talking points of other populist leaders (his motto is Brasil acima de tudo, Deus acima de todos or ‘Brazil above everything, God above everyone’). In any case, Bolsonaro is a populist figure even if some of his policies are more reactionary than anything else. He represents a break from the neo-liberal world order and at the very least, an unapologetic manifestation of Brazilian nationalism.
Furthermore, like Digong, he’s perceived as a strongman and a big meanie by a lot of ‘humanist’ types. There are also a lot of interesting stories about the guy, such as telling Brazilians to defecate every other day to protect the environment and poking fun at French President Macron. Also, like Trump and Duterte, he likes to trash talk the media, and has a tough-on-crime image in his country. He even got stabbed at one point, and he is also being accused of being responsible for several dead criminals.
Presently, he is embroiled with trade shenanigans with the EU, and of course, there are the fires in the Amazon rain forest which are attributed to his agricultural policies. So all in all, pretty much like Digong.
For context, Brazil has had several leftist or left of center type governments before Bolsonaro took over. So his rise to power can be seen as part of the global populist movement. He may not be a real revolutionary, but he does have political experience and he represents the collapsing center-right/center-left consensus all over the world.
From what I’ve read about the guy, Bolsonaro favors gun ownership, anti-crime legislation, capitalism and a more robust form of civic nationalism. Nothing particularly controversial but these are the kinds of things that could get you labeled a fascist in 2019, so he’s a naughty, naughty boy as far as a lot of people are concerned.
In any case, watching Bolsonaro is entertaining if nothing else. Putting aside his policies for a moment, he often makes amusing tweets, and a few Brazilian officials are making the headlines (one threatened to attack French President Emmanuel Macron recently). He’s also a charming guy. So here’s to you, Jair. Brasil acima de tudo, Deus acima de todos./PN
