What Brazil’s Political Convulsions Reveal About the Global Far-Right

If there is one thing that the last decade ought to have taught us, it is that strong objective factors do not automatically translate into powerful movements, let alone into the spontaneous discovery of the correct line by the masses.

Résumé

Far-right resilience factors

The article identifies two main reasons why far-right figures like Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro and the U.S.’s Donald Trump maintain support despite losing power.

First, they have stronger informational infrastructures—meaning they control media and communication channels more effectively than their opponents to spread their version of events.

Second, their messages resonate because they tap into real frustrations with the current economic and political system.

Many people feel left behind by globalization, austerity, and declining social protections, making them receptive to anti-establishment rhetoric.

The article emphasizes that combating far-right narratives isn’t just about correcting misinformation; it requires addressing the underlying issues driving discontent.

For example, Bolsonaro’s approval ratings rose during the pandemic not only due to a basic income program but because his framing of trade-offs between health and survival aligned with the lived experiences of poor Brazilians.