Rewards and trajectories

Motivations of long-standing and new members in the Brazilian Workers' Party

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22456/1982-5269.152898

Abstract

This article investigates the trajectories of activists within the Workers' Party (PT) to understand its resilience and persistence as the main party in the Brazilian political system. Unlike studies focused only on electoral perspectives, this article uses the Sociology of Activism to analyze the relationships between long-standing and new members, as well as former members, and the party itself. The central hypothesis suggests that longer-standing members joined the PT due to alignment with a collective project, while newer members were driven more by individual or material incentives. Interviews conducted in 2015 reveal that historical members, generally with more experience and available time, exhibit a more intense engagement. In contrast, new members, especially those with higher education, face challenges in sustaining activism due to time constraints and financial stability issues. Regarding the profile of former members, it stands out that party careers are associated with the possibility of rewards, whether symbolic or material, mediated by members' positions and skills. Overall, the results indicate that this study offers a view of the PT, exploring the interaction between socialization, activism, and political opportunity structures, thus contributing to a more thorough analysis of activism within the Brazilian context.

KEYWORDS: Sociology of Activism; Workers' Party (PT); Party Affiliations; Political Socialization; Party Rewards.

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Author Biographies

Éder Rodrigo Gimenes, Universidade Estadual de Maringá

Permanent faculty member of the Postgraduate Programs in Social Sciences and Public Policy, and Coordinator of the Laboratory for Political Studies on LGBTI+ at the State University of Maringá (UEM). Researcher at the National Institute of Science and Technology for Democratic Representation and Legitimacy (ReDem).

Filipe Vicentini Faeti, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

PhD in Political Science from the Federal University of São Carlos. Researcher at INCT Representation and Democratic Legitimacy (ReDem).      

Roberto Paludo, Universidade Aberta do Brasil

Lecturer at the Federal Institute of Mato Grosso, Open University of Brazil.      

Julian Borba, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

Professor in the Department of Sociology and Political Science and Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Center for Public Policy and Public Opinion at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Researcher at the National Institute of Science and Technology for Democratic Representation and Legitimacy (ReDem).      

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Published

2026-09-01

How to Cite

Gimenes, Éder R., Vicentini Faeti, F., Roberto Paludo, & Borba, J. (2026). Rewards and trajectories: Motivations of long-standing and new members in the Brazilian Workers’ Party. Revista Debates, 20(2), 301–345. https://doi.org/10.22456/1982-5269.152898

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2026): The Far Right in Comparative Perspective - Vol. II

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Articles

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