Brazil's Political Landscape Deepens in Division Amid Rising Populist Cultural Narratives
New studies reveal Brazil’s ideological split, showing progressive elites’ isolation and rising right-wing cultural populism tied to patriotism and conservative values.
- • Study identifies six ideological groups in Brazil, with Progressistas Militantes as 5% but highly educated and engaged.
- • Progressistas Militantes are socially isolated, which fuels right-wing cultural populism.
- • 44% of Brazilians believe the right-wing better represents patriotism and anti-corruption.
- • Demographic factors like gender and religion influence political preference, with evangelicals favoring the right more.
Key details
Recent research reveals a stark ideological division within Brazil, highlighting a social and political chasm particularly evident between progressive and conservative groups. A study by think tank More in Common in partnership with Quaest, titled 'Populismo e progressismo no Brasil polarizado,' delineates six ideological groups, including the small yet vocal Progressistas Militantes (5% of the population), who are characterized by their higher income, increased educational attainment—with 53% holding higher education—and lower religiosity. These militants actively engage in social justice issues like race and gender oppression but remain socially isolated from the broader population, a factor that fuels a populist cultural backlash from the right. This right-wing cultural populism strongly opposes what it perceives as an elite progressive intellectualism and promotes conservative family and faith values.
Complementing these insights, a Genial/Quaest survey indicates that 44% of Brazilians view the right-wing as better representing patriotism and anti-corruption efforts, compared to 28% who identify the left with these ideals. The survey also highlights demographic variances, with 50% of men and 53% of evangelical respondents favoring right-wing patriotism, versus 39% of women and 44% of Catholics.
These findings collectively illustrate how progressive elites' detachment has unintentionally created fertile ground for right-wing populist narratives to thrive, emphasizing cultural identity and nationalism. The political polarization, marked by divergent values on social justice and patriotism, frames much of Brazil's current sociopolitical discourse, shaping voter behavior and public sentiment ahead of future elections.