On January 8, 2023, Brazil suffered yet another form of attack on democracy. What was it exactly? How does it compare to the January 6 insurrection in the US? And how is the country moving forward with president Lula ahead?
Category Archives: Latin America
Is Your Country Slipping Into Authoritarianism?
How does a county fall from the podium of democracy? And is it always a sudden fall? When it’s not something sudden and obvious, like a military coup, but a gradual process, it can be more difficult to spot, point a finger to, and name. So what does it entail?
The Margin is Scary, Yet Brazil Did Vote Against Fascism
In so many of my articles, my hope is hidden. Not in this one though. As Lula comes back to power in Brazil, we are all hoping for some healing, recovery, and bridging the divisions deepened by the hateful and violent policies of Jair Bolsonaro.
Will The Fragile Democracy of Brazil Survive?
As voters in Brazil are choosing their representatives today, choosing their president can determine the country’s direction in ways that go beyond a specific party.
This election is extremely important not only because Brazil is a presidential republic (meaning, its president has significant powers) and world’s 12th economy. It’s because, to put it plainly, if Lula wins, the are fears of Bolsonaro not taking his political loss as leaders in democracies do – and that would have significant consequences for Brazil and the rest of the world.
What Just Happened in Ecuador?
The people of Ecuador have just had a national strike – and won!
After more than two weeks of country-wide protests, the current government has agreed to meet their demands.
What was happening there and why?
To answer these questions, hear what two journalists reporting on Ecuador have to say.
What Good Happened in 2021?
Almost exactly a year ago, I launched my podcast by asking what good happened in 2020.
A year later, I ask the same about 2021.
Brazil: How to Weaken Democracy from Within
The dance between democracy and authoritarianism: that has been the main topic of my articles and my podcast. That dance can take different forms. And Brazil presents to us yet another one.
Belarus, Chile, and the Never Agains
This episode is on the concept of Never Again and how we’ve…failed at it. How to analyse conflicts in the first place? What tools do we have?
It’s also on the small actions that can prevent other actions – even if it’s one person who decides not to go to a protest I describe in this episode. I think this is definitely where we can start.
It’s Time For Your Political Attitude Checkup!
This is my attempt to do a deep dive into concepts like political ideology, economic systems, and, ah, the focus of my rather dense episode, political attitudes. What does it mean to be liberal or conservative according to the framework of political attitudes? Is it always straightforward? (You’ve guessed correctly: no). In this episode, IContinue reading “It’s Time For Your Political Attitude Checkup!”
What Good Happened in 2020?
I talk about political changes that took place in Argentina, Bolivia, and Belarus. Why the women in Argentina can breathe more easily, why the indigenous population of Bolivia is hopefully feeling safer, and why what the people in Belarus are engaging should inspire us all.
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