A democracia e o projeto de vida digna: entre nominalismo e realidades cívicas na terra de Santa Cruz

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the current state of democracy in Brazil through the lens of Kelsen's formal democracy and Ferrajoli's substantial democracy. To achieve this, we needed to examine the theoretical dialogues surrounding the national identity founding myth in Chauí and the discourse control in Foucault. Our hypothesis focuses on how democracy, as either a legal principle or political system, allows for power positioning in society and the solidification of fundamental rights. We analyzed the characteristics of a mitigated formal democracy in Brazil according to Kelsen's framework, and how Ferrajoli's theory of democracy based on rights and guaranteeism applies in practice, as confirmed by Chauí's political perception. The variables that we considered were the existence of a formal democracy, its mitigation in Brazil, and the need for guaranteeism to ensure that people can experience it fully. We concluded that a founding myth masks authoritarianism and social injustices in Brazil. This leads to a mitigated formal democracy, which prevents experiences of a better democratic experience. We also concluded that the implementation of guaranteeism is necessary to repair national democracy, which will depend on popular engagement in its (re)construction. We conducted this research using a methodology of bibliographic and document review, critical-dialectical approach, and a deductive approach.