Podcast Summary: Militarization and Democracy in Contemporary Brazil

New Books Network – People Power Politics (Dec 16, 2025)

Guest Host: Deborah Monchi
Guests: Professors Otavio Morineto & Igor Acacio

Episode Overview

In this insightful episode, guest host Deborah Monchi interviews Professors Otavio Morineto and Igor Acacio about their new book, Presidentialism and Civil Military Relations: Brazil in Comparative Perspective. The discussion explores the growing militarization of politics in Brazil, particularly under former president Jair Bolsonaro, examining its implications for democracy, civil-military relations, and how Brazil’s case fits into global trends of democratic backsliding. The conversation draws on comparative data, theoretical debates, and recent events including Bolsonaro’s attempted coup and subsequent indictment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Civil-Military Relations and Democracy

• Main Thesis: The relationship between civil-military relations and democracy is heavily influenced by government systems, leader preferences, and the strength of party systems.
• Quote:
  “Presidentialism, extremist leaders and lowly institutionalized party systems favor the militarization of the cabinet in democracies.” — Otavio Morineto [02:17]
• Challenge: Militarization complicates civilian control over the military, which is essential for democracy.

2. The Brazilian Case in Comparative Perspective

• Historical Context:
  Brazil has maintained a militarized cabinet even during democratic regimes, with the least militarization occurring from 1999–2016. This changed dramatically under Bolsonaro (2019–2023), when nearly 40% of cabinet positions were held by military officers, surpassing figures under military dictatorship.
  • “Under Bolsonaro...cabinet militarization reached its peak under democracy, almost 40% in 2020. This is a higher percentage than under our last military government.” — Otavio Morineto [05:34]
• Comparisons:
  • Trump administration: 27% military appointees
  • Chavez: 23.5%
  • Duterte: 25%
  • “Bolsonaro is the champion of cabinet militarization.” — Otavio Morineto [08:22]

3. Variables Driving Cabinet Militarization

• Institutional Features: Presidentialism gives chief executives unique powers over cabinet formation and direct command over the armed forces.
  • “In presidential systems, the president is the commander in chief...So that carries a lot of power, a lot of responsibility.” — Igor Acacio [13:34]
• Party Weakness: Decline in strong party systems opens the way for militarization, as presidents seek alternative allies for governance.
• Extremist Leadership: Radical leaders avoid negotiating with centrist parties and instead seek institutional loyalty from the military.
  • “Radical leaders...they don't want to negotiate with centrist bodies...so they begin to look for other organizations to help them govern.” — Otavio Morineto [15:23]
• Militarization by Invitation: Unlike past trends, recent militarization is initiated by presidents rather than by ambitious military officers.

4. Why Was Bolsonaro’s Militarization So Extreme?

• Leader’s Preferences: Bolsonaro’s unique militarism and active promotion of military involvement in civilian government.
• Elite Support: Political elites did not strongly oppose military participation, sometimes favoring it for public order.
• Popularity of the Military: Historically, the military has enjoyed strong public trust in Brazil.
• Military’s Motivations: Both ideological (seeing themselves as guardians) and material (gains in salary, pensions, influence) incentives.
  • “We find evidence that [the military] have ideological support for the Bolsonaro project...but also salaries, pensions, protection from very harsh budget cuts ...” — Igor Acacio [20:36]

5. Recent Events: Democratic Resilience or Ongoing Risk?

• Bolsonaro's Coup Attempt:
  • Indictment of Bolsonaro and generals for the coup attempt is a potential inflection point for Brazil’s democracy.
    • “This is clear evidence of the strength of our institutions. But ... the armed forces benefited a lot from the Bolsonaro government...they remained silent for a long time.” — Otavio Morineto [23:12]
  • The army’s refusal to back the coup only came at the "bitter end."
• Signaling Effects and Uncertainty:
  • The importance of real accountability for democratic norms.
    • “If they are not [punished], the signal that it gives to future generations is that it’s okay ... to perhaps plot to remove a democratically elected government.” — Igor Acacio [26:25]
  • Upcoming elections may bring pardons for Bolsonaro and his supporters, threatening hard-won accountability.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Civilian control over the military is a necessary condition for democracy." — Igor Acacio [03:43]
• “Bolsonaro is the champion of cabinet militarization. So it is a big problem for democracy, but it's an excellent case for scholars...” — Otavio Morineto [08:22]
• “If back in the day, [military leaders] were, you know, the dictators of these countries...they’re now being brought into the government.” — Igor Acacio [07:01]
• “The preferences of the president...the preferences of the military...and elite political support...it’s all like working together either as permissive conditions.” — Igor Acacio [19:14]
• “Brazil almost had a coup that succeeded ... The more evidence we have, the more baffled we get by how close it got.” — Igor Acacio [24:54]

Important Timestamps

• 00:47–02:56: Framing the debate—democracy, militarization, and what makes Brazil’s case distinct
• 04:17–08:12: Comparative data on militarization in Brazil vs. other democracies
• 09:47–16:40: Institutional and political drivers: presidentialism, party systems, extremism
• 16:54–22:26: Why Bolsonaro’s model was uniquely extreme, deeper causes and incentives
• 22:26–28:01: Coup attempt, democratic resilience, and the uncertain road ahead

Conclusion

Professors Morineto and Acacio’s research highlights Brazil as an outlier in cabinet militarization, situating it within broader patterns of democratic erosion globally. They emphasize the role of institutional design, political leadership, and party system health in facilitating these trends, with clear warnings about the repercussions for democratic norms. The episode concludes with reflections on the fragility and resilience of Brazil’s democracy in the wake of Bolsonaro’s indicted coup attempt—an unresolved struggle coloring immediate and future politics.