This is an 'observational' thread, not an anti-anyone thread.
It's interesting to note the similarities between what's been happening in Brazil and the US, with respect to the two countries' leadership.
- Both have brash, right wing nationalist/populist presidents with strong Evangelical support
- Both won their elections exploiting the frustrated expectations of the lower-middle classes
- Both promised to stamp out corruption but have been mired in corruption allegations themselves that have included their children
- Both like to portray themselves as "tough guys" of the Putin/Duterte mould
- Both propagate nostalgia for an idealized past
- Both have lashed out at the media, calling it "fake news"
- Both show little interest in environmental policies and have cozied up to private companies heavily involved in land use (mineral extraction, agribusiness)
- Both have brushed off the seriousness of climate change
- Both incite fear, hatred and anger and like to create 'bogeymen' (though each's bogeymen are different)
- Both have shown disdain for women and minority groups
- Both want to be tough on China, but in many ways are beholden to them
- Both are leaning towards the military for potential domestic use
- In both cases the 'defense ministries' have pushed back against this idea - eg: Brazil, US
- Both have touted the benefits of hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19
- Both have downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic and pressed for early reopening against the advice of their health advisers
- Both have presided over some of the worst COVID-19 deaths globally
But there are differences:
- Brazil's Bolsonaro actually served in the military
- Bolsonaro does not have the support of a loyal political party, while the GOP has lined up with Trump
There has been some talk that Bolsonaro could face an impeachment (as allegations of legal improprieties grow), but he still seems to enjoy sufficient support (28-30%) to avoid such an effort, and has recently sought the support of centrist parties in congress that may also protect him, in exchange for other favors. Will each win re-election?
It's interesting to note the similarities between what's been happening in Brazil and the US, with respect to the two countries' leadership.
- Both have brash, right wing nationalist/populist presidents with strong Evangelical support
- Both won their elections exploiting the frustrated expectations of the lower-middle classes
- Both promised to stamp out corruption but have been mired in corruption allegations themselves that have included their children
- Both like to portray themselves as "tough guys" of the Putin/Duterte mould
- Both propagate nostalgia for an idealized past
- Both have lashed out at the media, calling it "fake news"
- Both show little interest in environmental policies and have cozied up to private companies heavily involved in land use (mineral extraction, agribusiness)
- Both have brushed off the seriousness of climate change
- Both incite fear, hatred and anger and like to create 'bogeymen' (though each's bogeymen are different)
- Both have shown disdain for women and minority groups
- Both want to be tough on China, but in many ways are beholden to them
- Both are leaning towards the military for potential domestic use
- In both cases the 'defense ministries' have pushed back against this idea - eg: Brazil, US
- Both have touted the benefits of hydroxychloroquine against COVID-19
- Both have downplayed the seriousness of the pandemic and pressed for early reopening against the advice of their health advisers
- Both have presided over some of the worst COVID-19 deaths globally
But there are differences:
- Brazil's Bolsonaro actually served in the military
- Bolsonaro does not have the support of a loyal political party, while the GOP has lined up with Trump
There has been some talk that Bolsonaro could face an impeachment (as allegations of legal improprieties grow), but he still seems to enjoy sufficient support (28-30%) to avoid such an effort, and has recently sought the support of centrist parties in congress that may also protect him, in exchange for other favors. Will each win re-election?