Democratic consolidation and the dynamics of local politics in Northeastern Brazil: a case study of Campo Formoso - Bahia

The thesis delves upon the concept of democratic consolidation within the context of local politics in Northeastern Brazil. It argues that liberal democratic principles are subverted in that region so as to meet individual, rather than public, interests, while conveying that Brazil’s historico-political legacy has brought up a culture still strongly influenced by the authoritarian shadow of patrimonialism, as well as by clientelism and political-personalism, that has pervaded and persisted up to present times. In order to effectively analyse the peculiarities of the democratic system present in the region, the thesis scrutinises the case study of a typical inner rural city of the Brazilian Northeastern federative state of Bahia – Campo Formoso –, where we recognise many of the features associated with patrimonial and clientelist demeanours. Furthermore, the thesis questions whether it is possible to reach a state of democratic consolidation and whether a successful transition to liberal democracy in Northeastern Brazil is conceivable. It ultimately suggests that only through the deepening, reformulation, and revitalisation of democracy, supported by a combination of popular participation and deliberation, may Campo Formoso, the Northeast, and other similar regions, break free from the shackles of authoritarian, patrimonial and clientelist structures, and ultimately reach a state of liberal democratic plenitude – specially as authoritarianism is resurging.