The Jair Bolsonaro administration is not your ordinary government. Unlike its predecessors, this administration has brought a new breed of politicians into the center stage. Never—at least not during democratic times—was a head of state so far from the political center, nor so peripheral to traditional circles of power. Even the former military presidents, who were outsiders from the partisan system, held prominent roles within Army barracks. During his 30 years in politics, Mr. Bolsonaro was always a backbencher and, due to his outrageous statements, he became somewhat of a folkloric character. The last time he ran...
