Notably, those Latin American countries that turned into dictatorships had Constitutions modeled on the US Constitution. - ThreadSky

benwaterhouse.bsky.social • 1 day ago

Notably, those Latin American countries that turned into dictatorships had Constitutions modeled on the US Constitution.

Reposted from Seth Cotlar

The party that campaigned on the idea that the Democrats would turn the US into a Latin American dictatorship are now deploying the tactics of Latin American dictatorships to punish anyone who gets in the way of their goal of disappearing people into a prison in a Latin American dictatorship.

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petrarca.bsky.social•1 day ago

nicolekidmansnose.bsky.social•1 day ago

I think that the US has always had more influence over the Latin American countries closer to it eg Central America/Caribbean. I am from Brazil and don't really see a connection between the military dictatorship there and the fact that constitution at the time may have been American-inspired.

benwaterhouse.bsky.social•1 day ago

There are two separate issues. One is the structure of government-- the federalism and executive primacy ("presidentialism") under the Estado Novo made the Golpe de 64 easier to pull off. The other is US Cold War policy-- and LBJ and the CIA definitely backed Castelo Branco against Goulart.

nicolekidmansnose.bsky.social•1 day ago

Yes, but the coup would have happened with or without American help and it enjoyed broad popular support. Considering the generals later implemented their own constitutional amendments by diktat with "atos institucionais", doesn't seem like the letter of the constitution had much effect on the coup.

nicolekidmansnose.bsky.social•1 day ago

I think Americans generally overestimate the real extent of their influence on other countries' internal affairs. Surely Latin America has always been a kind of backyard, but South America, especially Brazil, a bit less so.

benwaterhouse.bsky.social•1 day ago

I think that's a fair critique.

christofbrehmer.bsky.social•1 day ago

As only a very superficial connoisseur of Brazilian history, I would like to thank you both very much for this very instructive, cultivated exchange! 😏

benwaterhouse.bsky.social•1 day ago

The political science on "presidentialism" puts the emphasis on constitutional form. The level of clandestine CIA activity is not the main factor.

My point is that the US should recognize the flaws in a presidentialist constitution and not revere the US Constitution as the best system ever.

nicolekidmansnose.bsky.social•1 day ago

That's a very good point. I am kind of pleased that Brazil currently has a mostly paralysed Congress. The presence of multiple, competing centres of power (even if some are heavily corrupt), did help curb Bolsonaro's worst excesses.

glumchum.bsky.social•1 day ago

So did the Confederate States of America during the war of Southern Rebellion.

empath75.bsky.social•1 day ago

I’m at the point now where i think we should make the president a largely ceremonial office and move to a parliamentary system.

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