UNMC Assistant Professor analyses current Brazilian politics

With the World Cup in Brazil soon to begin, the School of Politics, History and International Relations Assistant Professor Guy Burton led discussion on aspects of the country’s politics at the recent Latin American Studies Association conference meeting in Chicago between 21-24 May 2014.

Dr Burton chaired a panel which included senior professors from the US and Brazil who presented on the role and actions of past and present Brazilian presidents in the areas of economic policy, public administration and in comparison to other Latin American countries.

Dr Burton, whose research interests include the comparative politics of Latin America and the Middle East, also presented a paper in the panel which evaluated last year’s social protests – the so-called Vinegar Revolt – in comparison to previous cases of political mobilisation in Brazil.  Contrary to other analysts who have focused on the protests in isolation, Dr Burton concluded that set in the context of Brazil’s republican past, their impact has been limited and is unlikely to transform the current political system.