TD 1 – “BRAZIL ABOVE ALL; THE MARKET ABOVE EVERYONE”: NATIONALISM, ECONOMIC LIBERALISM AND POPULISM IN BOLSONARO GOVERNMENT

“BRAZIL ABOVE ALL; THE MARKET ABOVE EVERYONE”: NATIONALISM, ECONOMIC LIBERALISM AND POPULISM IN BOLSONARO GOVERNMENT
Texto para Discussão n. 1 – Setembro de 2021
por Luiz Fernando de Paula, Pedro Lange Netto Machado e Helio Cannone.

Abstract

Given the neoliberal agenda implemented by the Paulo Guedes’ Ministry of Economy, the Bolsonaro government’s nationalist stance has been prompting academic debates over its rationales. This article explores the contradictions between the Bolsonaro government’s economic policy and its nationalist rhetoric. It argues that, once the foundations of Bolsonaro’s nationalism are understood, there is no contradiction between the two. Considering the economic sphere, the neoliberal agenda pursued by Paulo Guedes would appear to be at odds with what is generally understood as economic nationalism. However, once the Bolsonaro government’s populist nature is taken into account, its alleged nationalism can be clarified.