Between values ​​and antagonisms

dynamics of political polarization in Brazil today

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22456/1982-5269.151381

Abstract

For the present research, it was assumed that the phenomenon of political polarization in Brazil can be better understood through the analytical framework of Political Culture. Accordingly, the guiding question was: What cultural foundations structure antagonism and polarization in Brazil today? The main objective is to understand how values shape antagonistic perceptions of Brazilian politics. To this end, focus groups on political imaginaries conducted in Brazil by the World Values Survey (WVS) team were analyzed. Specifically, the study sought to (i) identify the elements and dynamics that configure the construction of antagonisms in processes of rupture, denial, distancing, and differentiation; (ii) identify the ideological, affective, moral, and economic dimensions manifested in these forms of antagonism; and (iii) systematize and interpret these configurations in light of social representation theory.

Keywords: Political Polarization; Political Culture; Antagonism; Social Representations; Political Imaginaries

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Author Biographies

Bianca Ferreira de Andrade, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Master's degree in Political Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, PhD candidate in Political Science at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Member of the World Values ​​Survey Brazil team.      

Mayara Hemann Lamberti, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Bachelor's degree in History from the University of Passo Fundo, Specialization in Media in Education from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Master's degree in Political Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, PhD candidate in Political Science at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Member of the World Values ​​Survey Brazil team.

Maria Júlia Schmitt Timmers, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Master's degree in Political Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, PhD candidate in Political Science at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Member of the World Values ​​Survey Brazil team.

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Published

2026-02-11

How to Cite

Ferreira de Andrade, B., Hemann Lamberti, M., & Schmitt Timmers, M. J. (2026). Between values ​​and antagonisms: dynamics of political polarization in Brazil today. Revista Debates, 19(3), 85–102. https://doi.org/10.22456/1982-5269.151381

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 3 (2025): From the eyes of democracy: 40 years after the end of militar dictatorship

Section

Dossier

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