The beauty of democracy, viewed as a contemporary philosophy of aesthetics and power, lies in its transformative political force. It pools together perspectives to correct biases and facilitate better collective decisions. A democratic process illustrates that social reality is not static.
In its dual nature, democracy serves as both a system of collective self-governance among political equals and an aesthetic-moral framework that elevates human agency, treating individuals as free and granting every citizen an equal say.
A slightly larger share of Brazilian voters has just backed radical leadership, a consequence of growing political polarisation.
In the first round of the presidential election, the population chose far-right candidate Flavio Bolsonaro, the eldest son of incarcerated former president Jair Bolsonaro, who secured 47.03 per cent of the vote, while current president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured 45.16 per cent.
Because neither candidate secured an outright majority, Brazil is heading to a highly polarised runoff election scheduled for October 25. Since Brazil adopted a two-round system for presidential elections in 1989, the candidate who won the first round has always gone on to win the runoff. The senator, Flavio Bolsonaro, defied financial scandals and other precarious claims.
Political analysts attribute shifts in Brazilian voting behaviour, notably in 2026, to a resurgence and increasing anti-PT sentiment, which is driving support for right-wing candidates. Bolsonaro has focused his campaign on an antipetismo sentiment, while the left-wing Workers’ Party (PT), led by President Lula da Silva, spent time and effort on already known arguments.
Whoever wins the presidency will face a Congress that has just broken records in the country’s democratic process, with far-right candidates advancing in numbers and translating it into extremism. If Flavio Bolsonaro wins, he will have the full force, backed by the Congress and the Senate, in addition to getting four appointments to the Supreme Tribunal Federal (STF), which is the highest constitutional court in Brazil; it serves as the ultimate guardian of the Brazilian Constitution. The legislature, executive, and judiciary will be in the hands of the far right.
After last Sunday, the incarcerated former president Jair Bolsonaro sees his wife Michelle and son Carlos elected senators, another son, Jair Renan, elected a federal deputy, and his eldest son Flávio now in pole position to become president. Should Flávio win in three weeks’ time, he has vowed to negotiate an amnesty for his father or pardon him.
The results of the first turn have shown strong rejection of climate change and intolerance towards indigenous people, because the elected candidates see the indigenous population as ones that must integrate into the broader society. When fundamental rights and radical policies are torn down, the approach to governance will not be paternalistic.
Political maturity demands responsibility. Voters must bear the weight of their decisions.
According to academics and human rights reports, incitement and extremist cells have risen in parts of the country, and there is fierce opposition to progressive cultural policies.
Sunday’s results point to a geopolitical realignment. The right-wing movement in Brazil explicitly aligns itself with a broader conservative wave sweeping through Latin America and maintains close coordination with US political figures. Over the past 18 months, seven right-wing or far-right candidates have won presidential elections across Latin America.
Flávio is running an explicitly pro-US and anti-BRICS campaign modelled heavily on his father’s platform. During campaign interviews, Flavio stated that he would reconsider Brazil's BRICS membership and has left the door open to an outright withdrawal. A Bolsonaro presidency aims to pivot Brazil away from its alignment with China and Russia, choosing instead to build close strategic, economic, and military ties with the Trump administration.
The wisdom of the crowd falters once the illusion of popular sovereignty dissolves.
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