From the political crisis to the coup: conflicts between Executive Power and Legislative Power during the government of João Goulart

Author(s)

David Ricardo Sousa Ribeiro

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2013-08-30

Examining board members

Marcos Francisco Napolitano de Eugênio; Adriano Nervo Codato; Francisco César Pinto da Fonseca

• Advisor: Marcos Francisco Napolitano de Eugênio

Abstract

The main object of this dissertation is the transition of the political crisis established during the government of João Goulart, to the Political Military Coup of 1964. Considering specifically the political dimension of the coup, we analysed the existing conflict between the executive and the legislative power based on a systemic conjuncture, and as the main political-institutional cause. Therefore, we assume the following question: How was the legislative power capable, in less than three years, of abandoning its anti-coup position, being decisive on the validation of the military regime? In this context, we came up with the hypothesis that, besides potentiating ideological conflicts of society, the political decisions taken in congress during debates about reforms were crucial for the political wearing out and isolation of João Goulart. In that way, we evaluated how the incapability between the reformist character of the executive power and the predominance of a conservative posture on congress was decisive to the end of the democratic times of the Republic of 46. We used the National Congress diaries, presidential speeches and the minutes of a few party conventions to analyse the main political conflicts occurred between 1963 and 1964, being them: the reestablishment of the presidential system, the Triennial Plan, negotiations surrounding different agrarian reform projects, civic vigil, and the conflicts occurred during the March of 1964. Among the objectives of this research, we intended to oppose the thesis, which tend to explain the Military Coup with the justification that it was the result of a radicalization of its authors, or even a lack of 8 compromise with the democratic regime. Therefore, along the research, we intended to present the role of the legislative power in the formulation, execution and legitimation process of the coup. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/14533-2 - From de renunciation to the state stroke: the consolidation from the stoke project into the Nacional Congress
• Grantee: David Ricardo Sousa Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master