Strategies of constitutional erosion in Brazil: “bolsonarismo” and the de-constitution by legal and administrative means

Abstract

The process of constitutional erosion happens in several countries around the world and, in many cases, involves changing or creating a new constitution. In Brazil the phenomenon has strengthened under the Bolsonaro government (2019-2022) with the use of the strategies of legislative unilateralism, with the use of infra-constitutional norms; modification of the administrative structure and attacks on bureaucracy; use of the budget as a form of negotiation and the emptying of certain areas, curtailment of spaces for civil society participation, and reduction of transparency and capture of control mechanisms. The categorization made in this paper is not exhaustive, and, as observed in recent years, it is bound to changes resulting from the learning about the effectiveness of such measures. Still, it provides an important panorama for understanding and opposing the process of destruction.