THE OWNERS OF THE VOTE: ELECTIONS, MONEY, VIOLENCE AND DOMINATION IN BRAZIL

Abstract

The article problematizes the notion of patrimonialism as the main explanatory reason for domination in Brazil, as present in several authors, especially Faoro (1958, 1974, 2022) and Scwartzman (2003, 2007). Based on the theoretical clues left by Maria Sylvia de Carvalho Franco, the objective is to search for an interpretation that considers the relationship between domination, violence and the perennial maintenance of inequality in Brazil within the framework of a always modern capitalism, compared with a interpretation of domination based on patrimonialism and backwardness. The methodology analyzes documents from the press and the judiciary around the Brazilian political crisis that started in 2013, builds an ideal-type and deduces an empirical type present in the political system. The connection of meaning of Brazilian domination informs a strong relationship between the political operator born from the henchman, the elections, the exercise of political power and a cryptoplutocracy, present, at least since the 19th century, that set the tone in the Brazilian political system under the mantle of private financing of elections, controlling the wealth of Brazil in the hands of the plutocracy and perpetuating ignoble inequalities.  It is patrimonialism without aura: cryptoplutocracy and political operator. A specter that haunts the popular vote and elections. It is the specter of political violence.