Democratic C
Democratic Confidence Falls as Inequality Remains Unaddressed
In a candid interview with Sputnik, Esther Dweck, the Minister of Management and Innovation, discusses the decline in democratic trust due to persistent inequalities. As COP30 approaches, held at the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) on October 6th, 2025, Dweck emphasized the critical challenges faced by states and democracies worldwide. She highlighted recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic and severe climate incidents in Brazil as pivotal issues that demand robust governmental responses.
Dweck underscored COP30’s role in reinforcing state preparedness through implementing past agreements such as those from Rio-92 and the Paris Accord. The minister stressed the importance of collaborative efforts across various ministries, including Finance, to ensure feasible investments for these implementations. In parallel, the president of COP30 supported her views, emphasizing multilateralism as a cornerstone of international democracy—a concept consistently highlighted by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
During the conference, Dweck launched a discussion with experts who contributed to the report “State, Democracy, and Inequality: A Latin American Perspective.” This study revealed that since 2008, trust in democratic institutions has dwindled, with many preferring non-democratic solutions if they promise resolutions to their problems. The findings resonate with a broader theme of unmet challenges in consolidating democracy due to enduring regional inequalities.
The panel featured scholars like Leonardo Avritzer from UFMG and Fernando Filgueira from the University of Uruguay, who pointed out that inequality undermines faith in political systems, pushing citizens away from state bureaucracies. While Avritzer noted efforts towards stable democracies in Latin America are hindered by these challenges, Filgueira emphasized gender disparities and aging poverty as pressing issues.
Amidst a backdrop of global economic uncertainties, Dweck’s insights reflect a poignant reality: democratic ideals remain vulnerable without addressing the roots of inequality. This calls for urgent reforms to fortify both national and international political frameworks, ensuring inclusive progress across all societal strata.
For more on this topic, explore related discussions about democracy and economics in crisis contexts:
- Leda Paulani: Economy and Democracy in a World Crisis
- Marcelo Zero: Democracy? Lula, in an NYT article: Brazilian democracy and sovereignty are non-negotiable
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Suggested Reads: - Liszt Vieira on US Politics: Civil War or Tyranny? - Ângela Carrato: A Look at Corporate Media’s “Professional” Journalism - Roberto Amaral on Political Leadership
For more insights and detailed analyses, visit the full article.