Few political analysts disagree that Brazil’s young democracy will face its biggest challenge in its 37 years of existence later this year. Voters will choose a new president, governors, and lawmakers in a climate of exceptional polarization. Worryingly, the unpopular incumbent president has consistently indicated he will not take defeat gracefully.
But the country does have one thing going for it: Brazilians, who traditionally express strong distrust of public institutions, have grown fonder of democracy.
In its latest electoral poll, the Ipespe institute showed that although two-thirds of voters are unsatisfied with the state of Brazilian democracy, the portion...