Interclass Alliances in the Opposition to the Military in Brazil: Consequences for the Transition Period

Abstract

A historical perspective is used to examine interclass alliances formed in opposition to military governments in Brazil, 1964-1974, focusing on the political & economic consequences of these alliances for the transition to democracy. A discussion of the state's changing role following the 1964 coup d'etat notes the new regime's goal of developing an economic model involving a tripartite association of state capital, local private capital, & foreign private capital. Political parties were abolished in late 1965, & there were reports of widespread torture of political prisoners. Opposition groups formed in reaction to repressive measures involved alliances composed of underground political parties, trade unions, human rights groups, & other civic organizations. The evolution of these alliances is traced & organizational strategies are described, noting that sustaining a strong interclass alliance required avoiding the conflicting interests inherent in specific election platforms. Reasons for the later emergence of an elite hegemony are discussed, along with the marginalization of the working-class sectors that resulted from the shift to an elite-dominated civilian rule. 5 References. J. Lindroth