130 years later, Brazil’s Republic remains a “draft”

Exactly 130 years ago, the Brazilian Republic began in the most peculiar of circumstances. 

The new regime was installed after a coup d’état led by a monarchist who had little appreciation for the values of liberal democracy. Until the very day he proclaimed the republic, Field Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca gloated about being a friend—and humble servant—of Emperor Pedro II. It was only after finding out the crown wanted to reduce the powers of the military that he flipped to side with the republican movement.

True to his political nature, Mr. Fonseca tried to rule Brazil not as a president—but as another emperor. He couldn’t stand the press, he didn’t know how to negotiate with Congress, and, when the opportunity presented itself, he tried to stage his own coup. Eventually, however, with Brazil threatening a civil war, he would end up resigning.

If the U.S. had George Washington, credited with giving gravitas to the newly-created office of President, Brazil had a man who tried to continue the worst habits of the monarchy.

One hundred and thirty years later, many of these vices remain in place. Rulers still have trouble with accountability, and municipalities and states still have little to no independence, with Brazil being a federation only in name. “The centralization of revenue in the hands of the federal government has prevented many Brazilian regions from developing autonomously,” says...