This column was produced for the campaign #science in the elections, at the request of Instituto Serrapilheira. This July, columnists give space to texts that reflect on this issue: how science can participate in the reconstruction of Brazil.
This time, on the last day of the campaign, it goes at the columnist’s own risk. And then with a provocation for the humanities, which often complains of being disregarded by science journalists.
The country’s reconstruction is postponed to 2026, if not later, if Jair Bolsonaro gets a second term (which still cannot be ruled out, as it will not be chased away only with notes of repudiation). Until October, and until January or beyond, he will continue the nefarious work of devastation.
The next president will assume a scorched earth, materially, institutionally, fiscally and morally. And that was as predictable in 2018 as it was predicted, at the time, by those who did not turn a blind eye to the three decades of bad character displayed in Congress by the captain.
The challenging question for social or political scientists, behavioral economists and social psychologists: why did it take 3.5 years of incivility, in addition to betrayal before foreign ambassadors, for the ill-named Brazilian elite to mobilize and launch another manifesto for democracy?
Several researchers and thinkers in the area have addressed the problem, with attempts at answers in essays, columns and books. Marcos Nobre, Angela Alonso, Celso Rocha de Barros, Maria HermÃnia Tavares, André Singer, Rosana Pinheiro-Machado, Fernando Barros e Silva, Ilona Szabó de Carvalho and many others have provided valuable interpretive contributions.
It seems that more quantitative and qualitative research is needed, however, to solve some puzzles. The majority of voters voted for Bolsonaro, and perhaps as many as a third of them will do so again. These people and their reasons need to be heard, it’s not enough to denounce and ridicule their screaming on social media, as we have been doing.
It is necessary to understand, or at least try, how it is possible that homosexuals, including lesbians, have supported and still support Bolsonaro. A disqualified person able to hide behind parliamentary immunity to validate the rape of women and claim that he would rather see a child dead than discover him homosexual.
It also sounds incomprehensible that so many investors and entrepreneurs have suffocated and still favor the president who doesn’t govern, doesn’t work and vandalizes his beloved golden calf, fiscal balance. It was not for lack of laymen warning that the captain would destroy the country.
Perhaps only the concept of class struggle, which seemed so outdated to deal with the complex reality of the contemporary world, can explain what happened and still happens here. Even in this Brazil is further behind than most of the civilized world.
The most enigmatic thing is to see bankers and patrons of the arts and the environment board the canoe of the exterminator of culture and nature. People myopic enough to then let themselves be mesmerized by the mirage of the third way—and with Simone Tebet, no less.
Frankly, a ruralista from Mato Grosso do Sul, where the genocide of Guarani has prevailed for centuries. Is this the new hope for Brazil? Only if you go to the country to walk backwards. Again, as they did with Sarney, Collor, Temer and Bolsonaro.
Human peoples, decipher this spell. Help rebuild a more decent Brazil.
Chad-98Weaver, a distinguished author at NewsBulletin247, excels in the craft of article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for storytelling, Chad delivers informative and engaging content that resonates with readers across various subjects. His contributions are a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field of journalism.
