brazil: the 1988 constitution
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Brazil: the 1988 Constitution. Representative Democracy under the Center-Right?. CONSTITUTION OF 1988. Three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Brazil: the 1988 Brazil: the 1988 Constitution Constitution
Representative Democracy under the
Center-Right?
CONSTITUTION OF 1988 CONSTITUTION OF 1988
Three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial.
The distribution of power, the limits on the states and governmental authority, and how policy is framed and executed changed substantially under 1988 constitution.
Robust FederalismRobust Federalism
1988 constitution continues over-representation of small states
Half of tax revenue returned to states with no mandates as to how money will be spent◦Assists in maintaining clientilism at local level◦Congressmen tasked with “bringing home the
bacon”Implications of Itamar Franco’s challenge
(as Governor of Minas Gerias) to the national executive 6
Institutions of the 1988 Republic Institutions of the 1988 Republic
Patterned on U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers
President elected directly by people
Bicameral Congress◦Chamber of Deputies (513 members)◦Senate: Three members from each state and
the Federal District (81 members)
Supreme Court (power of judicial review)
Presidential Election of 1994Presidential Election of 1994
Itamar Franco as a caretaker president◦Another accidental presidency◦Fernando Henrique Cardoso as architect of
economic recovery {Real Plan}
Resounding victory by Henrique Cardoso: Two rounds permitted only one necessary
President President
Fernando Henrique CarsodoFernando Henrique Carsodo
Rio de Janeiro nativeSon of an Army officer Spent much of the military regime in
exile
Presidential Election of 1998Presidential Election of 1998
Again Fernando Henrique Cardoso◦One Round Only
Luis Inacio “Lula” de Silva 32% Cardoso 53%
Winning coalition ◦Social Democrats (PSDB)◦Liberal Front (PFL) party of Jose Sarney◦Labor Party (PTB) party of Ivette Vargas
The Presidency and the CongressThe Presidency and the Congress
Formal powers among the most sweeping in Latin America◦Veto legislation (wholly or in part) ◦Can initiate legislation – including public
spending◦Can force congress to take up legislation
deemed urgent Multi-party system forces president to
build coalitions
Legislative Branch: Institutions & Legislative Branch: Institutions & StructuresStructures
Lower house, the Chamber of Deputies: comprises 513 representatives from 26 states and the Federal District Size of each state’s delegation is determined in
proportion to its population. Constitution establishes a minimum of eight and a
maximum of seventy deputies for each state. These limits under-represents residents of the densely
populated southeastern and southern states. Congress no longer a rubber stamp.
Parliamentary Commissions of Inquiry (CPIs)
Institutions & Structures: Institutions & Structures: The Judiciary IThe Judiciary I
Comprised of the Supreme Court, the Superior Court, five regional federal appeals courts, labor courts, electoral courts, military courts, and state courts.
Constitution stipulates criteria for Entry into judicial service = competitive exam Promotion = by seniority and merit Mandatory retirement = age of 70 or after 30 years of
service Eleven justices, or “ministers,” are named by the
president to the Supreme (constitutional Court, - Supremo Tribunal Federal (STP) –and approved by the Senate, as are thirty-three ministers to the Superior (Civil) Court.
Tribunal Superior Eleitoral
Institutions & Structures: Institutions & Structures: The Judiciary IIThe Judiciary II
Labor Courts created by the Consolidated Labor Code of 1943
Military justice system also retained in the 1988 Constitution
Courts stronger today than every before Overloaded docket
Lower courts’ decisions are not binding or final, cases are appealed repeatedly until they finally reach the STF.
Direct action of unconstitutionality (ADIN)
Constitutional Limitations on Constitutional Limitations on Government Authority IGovernment Authority I
Extends the traditional guarantees of individual rights to social groups
Prohibits discrimination against minorities
Grants parties, unions, and civic associations legal recourse against the actions of other social actors and permits them to challenge before the Supreme Court the constitutionality of legislation and administrative rulings.