O “golpismo democrático” Carlos Lacerda e o Jornal Tribuna da Imprensa na quebra da legalidade (1949 - 1964)

Abstract

Between the signing of the 1946 Constitution and the beginning of the Military Regime in 1964, Brazil went through a democratic period marked by several political crises. Among the new parties created in 1946, the UDN was the main opposition party at federal level. Despite its heterogeneous initial formation and its diversity, UDN represented the right-wing within the political scene. One of the most influential party members was the journalist Carlos Lacerda – owner, director and publisher of the periodical Tribuna da Imprensa. The newspaper, which became one of UDN’s main political tools, was also a powerful instrument for the construction of a radical discourse opposing at once the left-wing parties, Getúlio Vargas and his followers. In some critical moments, as in the 50’s, this discourse clearly argued for a coup d¶ètat, while defending the rupture with legality on behalf of a supposed “true” democracy—a democracy that would be different from and uninfluenced by the one that emerged from the ruins of the “Estado Novo”. During the crises in the early 1960s, however, UDN changed its discourse, now attacking the federal government for being subversive and communist. The ‘Tribuna da Imprensa’ contributed to the building of lacerdismo, a movement tied directly to journalist Carlos Lacerda, publicizing his flaming and flamboyant speeches at the Congress to the public opinion. Indeed, Carlos Lacerda made his name by attacking the federal government through diverse media: written press, radio and television. By doing so, he expanded and shaped his image within the public opinion, and became a high-profile political leader in Brazil.