Artigo



Dados vol. 28 n. 3 Rio de Janeiro 1985

O Século De Michels: Competição Oligopólica, Lógica Autoritária e Transição na América Latina

Santos, Wanderley Guilherme dos

Resumo

This paper focuses on the role played by political parties in surmounting authoritarianism and in the transition to democracy. This subject takes on special importance in the light of the history of present-day pluralistic governments, in which political parties have proved to be the institution most successful at expressing, organizing and bringing about political participation; thereby raising the question of whether they will be able to play an analogous role in the constitution of a non-authoritarian polity in Latin America. The author discusses the significance of the political party as a democratic institution, the logic of authoritarianism, and the conditions for a negotiated transition, particularly in Brazil, and lastly, the position of political parties in the post authoritarian transitional phase. Speculating on the possible evolution of authoritarian systems in the liberalization stage, the author concludes by designating two of the main variables for defining the political model to be established: the extent of state penetration and the degree of competitiveness in the availability of opportunities for participation.

Texto completo

O Século De Michels: Competição Oligopólica, Lógica Autoritária e Transição na América Latina