THE MILITARY, INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES, POLITICAL SCANDALS, AND DEMOCRACY IN BRAZIL – 1998-2000

• Published in: Journal of political & military sociology Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 39 - 55
• Main Authors: ZIRKER, DANIEL, REDINGER, MATTHEW
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: DeKalb An International, Interdisciplinary, and Semiannual Publication 01.07.2003; Professional Social Science Publication
• Subjects: Armed Forces; Brazil; Democracy; Government Agencies; Intelligence; Intelligence gathering; Military Civilian Relations; Political behavior; Political Development; Political Power; Scandals; Brazil
• ISSN: 0047-2697; 2642-2190

Examines the impact of secret military intelligence agencies on Brazilian democratization, 1998-2000, to shed light on military resistance to the civilization process & the utility of scandals as political weapons. It is argued that autonomous intelligence agencies are given impetus by international economic & political pressures in security issues, particularly as applied by the US, which contribute to a nationalist backlash by fomenting the perception of external threats. In addition, interservice rivalry, which is profoundly impacted by nationalism, underpins Brazilian military politics. Attention turns to detailing the case of Brazil's civilian Ministry of Defense & its embroilment in a national scandal as well as the Abin scandal involving the Brazilian Intelligence Agency, the creation of which was considered another step in the civilization of the political system. These scandals are indication of the factional disputes arising over the impending loss of military prerogatives in Brazil. 47 References. J. Zendejas