Bolsonaro’s Governance Model: Movement-Government against Public Policies

This paper examines the governance model of President Jair Bolsonaro, which is distinguished by a movement-government approach that gives precedence to ideological agendas and social mobilization over the formulation and implementation of public policies. The tenure of President Jair Bolsonaro is characterized by a consistent disregard for effective governance principles, with a focus on the dismantling of long-standing policies and state bureaucracy. The paper elucidates the interrelationship between ideology and public policy, underscoring the cultural war as a central aspect of Bolsonaro’s governance. Furthermore, the paper examines the coexistence of two extremist perspectives within the government: the neoliberal agenda of reducing the state apparatus and the anti-systemic objective of destroying the institutional structure established by the 1988 Constitution. The analysis illuminates the distinctive features of Bolsonaro’s model, contrasting it with other populist movements globally, and examines the implications for public administration and policy continuity in Brazil.