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Brazil's Emerging Left
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16295 |
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CURRENT ISSUES
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3 / 1989 |
2,521 Words |
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Michael Wilson
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On October 5, 1988, following 21 months of fierce debate and rigorous political analysis, Brazil's eighth constitution was ratified, continuing the leftward drift of Brazil's political, economic, and social affairs. If the existing constitution was unsatisfactory, this latest version, with its statist, nationalist, and populist orientations, certainly provides equal cause for controversy and criticism.
It was not, however, until the results of last November's municipal elections were in that the sheer magnitude of Brazil's radical political metamorphosis became readily apparent. With the clear rejection of President Jose Sarney's conservative Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) came a somewhat stunning turn toward center-left, socialist, and communist-oriented parties. Consequently, Brazil now faces a year of deep political uncertainty, likely social turmoil, and a polarized, left-leaning populace desperately seeking answers and solutions that nobody seems to have.
Brazil is second only to Mexico among the nations in the Americas of strategic importance to Washington. Despite its extraordinary problems, Brazil's expanding economic, diplomatic, and military capabilities continue to surpass those of all its neighbors. Over the past two decades, it has developed into Latin America's most "global" power. This has been accomplished by demonstrating an assertive role in international diplomacy, taking the lead on the debt issue, establishing a significant presence in the international arms market, and transforming itself into the world's ninth-largest economy. Because of these factors, it is imperative that a stable, long-term vision of diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations be established between Washington and Brasilia. Unfortunately Brazil's increasingly leftist, nationalistic orientation will only work to complicate this goal.
The 1988 Constitution
Brazil's new constitution, one of the largest and most complicated in the world, with 246 articles, attempts to set the stage for a permanent return to democracy. The document-- which replaces that written under the 1964-1985 military government--includes some critical clauses that change the relationships between citizen and state, the executive and legislative branches, capital and labor, and local and federal government. While the constitution admirably sets out to undo more than two decades of military rule, it does so in a haphazard, controversial way.
Some of the key features of the 1988 constitution are its emphasis on enhancing civil rights, improving workers' benefits, protecting Brazilian companies from foreign competition, and reducing the power of the president in favor of the Congress and the judiciary. The document also paves the way for legalizing strikes, abolishing censorship, reducing the work week from 48 to 44 hours, establishing basic health and welfare benefits for poverty line workers, and strengthening Indian rights and environmental laws. According to the speaker of the Constituent Assembly Ulysses Guimaraes, "This constitution will protect the weak and punish those who abuse power."
While most of the provisions seem to be positive steps for Brazil's future democratic development, many observers feel that there are components in the document that are "antiforeign" and economically backward. Brazilian conservatives and foreign business
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