POLITICS OF EDUCATION AND NATIONAL IDENTITY IN THE AGE OF BOLSONARISMO IN BRAZIL

The thesis explores the connection between cultural wars and right-wing populism in Brazil by investigating how debates on education were mobilised around essentialist notions of national identity as a means for Bolsonarismo to secure power under the leadership of Bolsonaro. It investigates how specific discourses around race, gender, sexuality, national identity and education have contributed to, and were central to the rise and successful installation of Bolsonarismo. Bolsonarismo has used a very specific notion of national identity to identify enemies (the progressives) and to present Bolsonarists (Bolsonaro supporters) as the “good nationals”, the “good citizens”.

Bolsonarismo used its narrative, the one it has created around the curriculum, the education system and structures as a central pillar for incepting itself in the minds of its followers through fear, through fomenting of cultural wars and fake news. It placed education at the centre of its “fear crusade” as a critical tool for shaping the national and/or political identity of Brazilian society.