Brazil is elite dominated, caused by centuries long socio-economic inequality and its political inheritance.

Reasons to see Brazil as authoritarian.

Reasons to see Brazil as Pluralistic.

Brazil is a more conservative society, slow to change, seeks consensus.

"Statist " society- the people have looked to the state for solutions in the past but now are more mistrustful and look to civil society to lead the way to change.

Associational activity has increased among blacks, women, ecologists, Catholics, and favelas ( dwellers or urban shanty-towns ).

Brazil has the highest population of Catholics in the world.

The Church was conservative and stayed out of Government affairs until 1964. After this the Church became more progressive and politically active.

The Church played an important role in organizing social movements, with a special focus on the needs of the poor.

Bible study groups, known as Ecclesiastical Base Communities ( CEBs ) changed the nature of Catholicism and empowered the people.

The spread of Liberation Theology in the 1970’s also encouraged political participation.

Church groups continue to support leftist policies such as agrarian reform, but differences over issues such as family planning may weaken Catholicism in Brazil as people turn to other religions.

Brazil has a large population of black, descendants of slaves as in the United States. The population is:

• 5% Black
• 39% mixed black and white, Indian mix or all Indian
• Nonwhites represent 70% of the population in the Northeast
• Nonwhites are 33% in the Southeast region
• 17% of the South

Black Brazilians are more likely to be poor, to receive harsh treatment at the hands of the police, to experience job and social discrimination. They are less literate, and earn 50% less than their white counterparts. Theses racial differences show up in regional inequalities ( pg 564 of text )

In 1978, the Unified Black Movement against Racial Discrimination formed to protest the torture and murder of a black taxi driver but called attention to racism in the society.

Black movements were less successful under the military regime, possibly because black movements were centered on culture, not on political issues.

Brazil not immune to Machismo, an aggressive form of masculine behavior, or to Marianismo, which is the moral superiority of women, making them responsible for family unity and child-rearing.

Until 1964, Brazilian women participated less in and tended to vote for candidates on the right.

Military rule brought changes to the traditional political positions on women.

• There were expanded occupational and education opportunities for women

• The economic impact on women was profound. Women could no longer secure family welfare. There was a lack of infrastructure and social services.

Women’s movements formed in the 1970’s and 1980’s, and became some of the most powerful women’s movements in the world. Women’s issues became political issues, even against the power of Catholicism.

• Special police forces made up of women deal with domestic violence against women.

• Political Parties adopted feminist concerns into their platforms.

• Equality in marriage took thee place of " pater familiae ".

• Women were recruited into politics.

Television is accessible to 75% of the population by the mid 1980’s. With a large illiterate or semi-literate population, television, the media has had a major influence on political attitudes in Brazil.

• Horario gratuito- free political time set aside in during campaigns to disseminate political messages.

• Television coverage given during debates and on television news.

• Telenovelas, or prime time soap operas, influence the thinking of the populace in subtle ways.