Pedro Abramovay is vice president of Programs at the Open Society Foundations and a PhD in political science. Previously, Abramovay held a series of key posts within Brazil’s Ministry of Justice Gabriela Lotta is a professor of public administration at FGV-SP and a PhD in political science and a researcher at the Center for Metropolis Studies, in addition to being a visiting professor at Oxford University in 2021.

“Politics is essential for overcoming historical challenges and building a democracy that confronts its violent past, does not oppress minorities, and ensures society’s participation in decisions about the country’s direction. The book Democracy on a Tightrope offers an indispensable reflection for anyone fighting for a just Brazil.” — Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil “Combining solid academic research with the experience of those who have served in government, Gabriela Lotta and Pedro Abramovay provide an original and relevant contribution to understanding how to seek a delicate balance in our democratic development.” — Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Former President of Brazil “We need strong, capable government equipped to handle the biggest challenges of our time while also maintaining strong democratic engagement and participation. Pedro Abramovay and Gabriela Lotta’s book underscores the importance of getting this balance right.” – Professor Mariana Mazzucato

• Translators’ Note Introduction: The Engine of Democracy PART I. Politics and Bureaucracy Chapter 1. The Fetishization of Meritocracy Chapter 2. Old and New Patterns of Relations between the State and Society in Brazil Chapter 3. Administrative Reform under Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva PART II. Democracy Struggling to Balance: Bureaucracy Overrides Politics Chapter 4. The Access to Information Law Chapter 5. The Battisti Case PART III. Democracy Struggling to Balance: Bureaucratic Disdain for Politics Chapter 6. Drug Policy Chapter 7. The ENCCLA Anti-Corruption Network and Operation Carwash PART IV. Democracy Striking a Balance: Politics and Bureaucracy Foster Democracy Chapter 8. The Thinking About the Law Initiative Chapter 9. The Statute of Indigenous Peoples Chapter 10. The Dry Law Chapter 11. The Internet Bill of Rights Conclusions Acknowledgements Glossary Bibliography Supplementary Reading Index