Narrow self-interest, not political program, characterizes Brazil’s military

Though the military has ruled directly at times during Brazil’s history, the common thread is its drive for respect, prestige, and higher salaries — and this remains true today

Aug 17, 2021 8:57 6 min read (Updated: Aug 18, 2021 0:52)

Brazilian military men have never lacked confidence — that they could deliver stability, economic progress, and modernization, all nominally in the national interest. The history of the military’s political interventions, however, is marked by self-interest.

Consider the army’s first foray into government.

Following the devastation of the Paraguayan War, the military brass was not satisfied with a return to the antebellum status quo, characterized by poor remuneration and substandard equipment. Seeking a more prominent role in national affairs, in 1889 the military put an end to the monarchical system that had been in place for over 70 years and...

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Narrow self-interest, not political program, characterizes Brazil’s military

Though the military has ruled directly at times during Brazil’s history, the common thread is its drive for respect, prestige, and higher salaries — and this remains true today

Access all of The Brazilian Report

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