Authoritarianism and distension: the view of Raymundo Faoro on the processing of brazilian political life in the late 1970s

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to present Raymundo Faoro's view on the multiple political complexities that were present in the decompression process of the authoritarian power in force in Brazil in the 1970s. Based on interviews and articles published by him in the press, it was possible to demonstrate not only his ideas and reflections on distension, but also his suggestions of action that aimed at finding some ways of intervening directly in the political life of the country, through a representative organization of the society: The Brazilian Lawyers Association. It was shown that there were many theoretical and political questions evoked by his questionings. This article intends to emerge Faoro's thought about transition, as well as his political actions which together enable the understanding of several implications of a political change process that perpetuates an authoritarian and excluding logic.