A construção discursiva do povo no lulismo e no bolsonarismo nas campanhas eleitorais de 2018 e 2022: a constituição de paradigma de povo

Abstract

This thesis analyzes contemporary political dynamics in Brazil through the political movements known as lulism and bolsonarism, which stand out for their mobilization around the category of "people." Both phenomena, led by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Jair Bolsonaro, exhibit distinct characteristics but share a profound connection with popular aspirations. The study focuses on the 2018 and 2022 presidential elections, key periods for the consolidation of these movements, aiming to understand how their discourses were constructed and mobilized. The analysis is grounded in the populism theory developed by Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe, aiming to examine the interaction between charismatic leadership, populist rhetoric, and the construction of political identity. Lulism is characterized by its identification with lower-income groups and the promotion of inclusive policies, with its consolidation as a political force during Lula’s second presidential term. Bolsonarism, on the other hand, emerged in 2018 as a response to social, political, and economic dissatisfaction, utilizing rhetoric that opposes the traditional political system. This study presents a theoretical and empirical analysis of the specificities of each movement, contributing to the understanding of recent transformations in the Brazilian political landscape and the implications of discursive mobilization in the name of the "people".