The Divided Left: the Lula and Dilma Governments in Brazilian Political Thought

The Lula and Dilma governments created a rift among Brazil's left-wing intellectuals. Nonetheless, what did lulism represent for the country's history? A political setback and denial of the history of the Workers' Party, which made lulism possible? Or a significant - albeit compared to the Party's original program, limited - path towards social inclusion and advancement of citizenship? This article draws on some hypotheses present in Brazilian political thought to shed light on the debate, drawing upon authors such as Andre Singer, Emir Sader, Francisco de Oliveira, Luiz Werneck Vianna, and Marcos Nobre. Our thesis is that as "ways of thinking", the debate on lulism has striking similarities with the old controversy between "instrumental authoritarians" and "doctrinal liberals" of the late 19th and early 20th centuries - precisely because regressive forces are still resisting the processes of national constitutionalization and democratization.