In recent years, young leaders have become increasingly rare, but they continue to be essential for the country’s political future.
In Brazil’s recent history, it has always played a central role as a protagonist of major transformations. From the movements that marked the departure of the military regime to the popular uprisings of 2013, young people not only occupied the but they also forged a new destiny for the country, pushing for profound changes in public policies. Regardless of their ideological tendencies, youth have been fundamental in the construction of Brazilian democracy, however, in recent years young leaders have become increasingly rare, but they continue to be essential for the country’s political future.
Youth mobilizations were central to several democratic achievements in the country. In 1992, the “Caras Pintadas” generation, a movement that led to the dismissal of then president Fernando Collor de Mello, was, without a doubt, a milestone in Brazilian democracy led by youth. With spontaneous mobilization on the streets and in universities, youth played a crucial role in the president’s impeachment, showing how popular pressure can alter the course of institutional politics.
This movement was marked by the union of young people from different ideological currents, who were more concerned with the future of the country than with party disputes and this union was repeated in 2013 with “As Jornadas de Junho”. The 2013 demonstrations, which began as protests against the increase in public transport fares in São Paulo, quickly became a national phenomenon involving millions of Brazilians across the country.
Although initially driven by local issues, such as transport and health, the “2013 June Days”, popularly also known as the “20 Centavos Protests”, expanded into a broader critique of the Brazilian political system and social inequalities. , highlighting the growing dissatisfaction with public spending and the lack of concrete improvements for the population. Once again the union of different ideological flags, which went beyond left or right, became a clear example of how youth, when mobilized, manages to transcend political divisions caused by populism and ideological polarization and make your voice count.
When looking at political mobilizations in recent decades, we can identify victories, defeats, as well as rare moments of convergence between young people of different ideological orientations. One of the main points of analysis is how both the left and the right, at certain historical moments, put aside ideological differences in the name of a common objective: the maintenance and advancement of democracy and the fight against corruption.
At decisive moments, the left mobilized its activists to fight for social achievements, such as the redemocratization of the country in the 1980s and the achievements of the government of and , which guided public policies focused on social inclusion and combating inequality. However, political wear and tear and the major corruption scandals that culminated in “Operation Lava-Jato” raised major criticisms of the PT’s management, which also showed the limitations of a reform agenda that cannot always keep up with the urgency of social demands.
Youth also mobilized decisively in the conservative camp, especially after the 2013 demonstrations, in which the right saw an opportunity to consolidate itself as opposition to the federal government. In 2016, with the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff, the rise of figures such as Jair Messias Bolsonaro and the active participation of young people in the 2018 elections showed that right-wing youth also have mobilization power. However, political polarization and government challenges have shown that right-wing youth still face challenges in consolidating a country project that balances its ideological principles with the needs for change and impartial conciliation in light of the real needs of the Brazilian people.
Despite ideological tensions, youth have demonstrated, on several occasions, that they can join forces when democracy and the country’s future are at stake. The demonstrations that called for the impeachment of and Dilma Rousseff, for example, had the support of young people from both the left and the right. Likewise, the defense of democracy in demonstrations against authoritarianism, at different times, has been a common agenda among young people from different ideological spectrums. Despite the protagonism that youth have had in recent decades, youth leaders have become increasingly rare. The distance from traditional politics and the growing disillusionment with the party system contribute to the absence of new leaders who identify with the demands currently on the agenda.
The departure of new generations from political parties and the crisis of representation are challenges that youth face in the current political scenario. Many, although they get involved in demonstrations, prefer to stay away from traditional power structures, which makes it difficult to build new leadership. The growing polarization and lack of dialogue are also obstacles to the emergence of a political youth capable of building bridges between different visions, culminating in a Third Way that truly meets the demands that the future requires for the country.
As Brazil approaches new elections, it will be essential that new leaders emerge capable of articulating a country project that unites different generations and faces the country’s structural problems, such as social inequality, the fiscal crisis and the modernization of the economy . These leaders must be able to bring political innovation and face challenges in an increasingly volatile global scenario, focusing on a less bureaucratic agenda and greater individual freedoms.
Brazil’s political history has been written, to a large extent, by the hands of its young people. Whether in demonstrations fighting for democracy or acting as agents of institutional change, young people have always played an active role. Although many still face the dilemma of “when and/or to get involved”, it is crucial that the new leaders who emerge to face the challenges of the future and continue the fight for a more just, democratic, free and prosperous country have the responsibility to maintain themselves vigilantes.
Youth cannot distance themselves from politics and their role as agents of change, as it is through their participation that Brazil will be able to build an ideal future for everyone, without giving up plurality and democratic coexistence, after all, we always hear that Young people are the future and this is what we really observe in practice, however, on the horizon a scenario is emerging in which youth and new generations will be responsible for the destiny of our country.
*Wellington Silva32, is an entrepreneur in the field of marketing, advertising and advertising. He participated in the “June Days of 2013”, in the protests against the overpricing of the 2014 World Cup and in the demonstrations for the impeachment of former president Dilma Rousseff in 2015 and 2016. He is a free leader in the state of Santa Catarina and is an advocate of targeted public policies youth, entrepreneurship and diversity.
This publication is a partnership between Jovem Pan and Livres
Livres is a non-profit civil association that brings together activists and liberal academics committed to public policies to expand freedom of choice
*This text does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Jovem Pan.
