Brazil’s election: Implications for democracy and social justice – A conversation with Alfredo Saad-Filho

Brazil stands at a critical juncture. On 30 October, voters will decide whether far-right incumbent Jair Bolsonaro will secure a second term in office or former president, and leader of the Workers’ Party, Lula da Silva will stage a historic comeback. After a better than expected result for Bolsonaro in the first round, polls show the two rivals as statistically tied. The outcome – including whether Bolsonaro will accept defeat if he loses – will have profound consequences for democracy and the fight for social, economic and climate justice in Brazil and beyond.

Alfredo Saad-Filho is Professor of Political Economy and International Development at King’s College London. Previously, he was Professor of Political Economy at SOAS University of London, and Senior Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. He is the co-author with L Morais of Brazil: Neoliberalism versus Democracy, and numerous other works on international political economy, the political economy of development, neoliberalism, democracy, and alternative economic policies.

Convenors: Dr Karabekir Akkoyunlu (ka54@soas.ac.uk), Dr Gabriel Huland (gh142@soas.ac.uk)

Zoom link

• https://soas-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/97181372971?pwd=T3Z2OWZwVUxNckdsbDRHTy9XOGNodz09
• Meeting ID: 971 8137 2971
• Passcode: BrazElex22