Authors:

Maria Laura Maciel Fernandez and Marcelo Nunes Apolinário

Abstract:

The present work seeks to emphasize the electoral systems used in Brazil, which are: majority and proportional. In a representative democracy, in which the population elects representatives for the exercise of political power, an electoral system that fulfills the interests and demands of society is important. It is essential that in this regime strengthen the bonds between governors and governed so that a stable and legitimate government policy is consolidated. Moreover, it is important to note that the electoral systems adopted by the various States have a great influence on the behavior of the institutions and, above all, on the political orientation of the regime established. Thus, the present work seeks to analyze the intrinsic peculiarities and consequences that the current model imposes on the embryonic Brazilian democracy. In Brazil, senators and the executive positions of president, governors and mayors, are elected by the majority system. The federal deputies, state and councilors, legislative positions, are elected by the proportional system. It is sought to elucidate the advantages and disadvantages of each one, because, as the systems defined in the 1988 Constitution are in certain aspects outdated, since in the current political scenario the presence of corporatism, personalism in proportional elections, clientelism, partisan “caciques”, economic inequality, partisan fragmentation, among other problems. The work seeks to show how to improve systems to fit the current political and social situation of the country. The research, of a qualitative nature, is carried out on the bibliographic-documentary basis. As for bibliographical research, it provides the necessary support for the understanding of concepts, theories and the functioning of political institutions. Already, the documentary research, focuses on the study of legislation and jurisprudence referring to the proposed theme. There is also the analysis of the proposals for a Political Reform in the country, which among the possibilities suggested are: the change of the proportional system to the positions of the Legislative or the change of the type of list used, which is currently open. The systems were implemented with a view to greater participation of society in government, but that the representatives, corrupted by power, use them for their own benefit. Thus, the need for a Political Reform in electoral systems is increasingly being assured. The process of democracy building is anemic. Democracy in Brazil is far from ideal in terms of representativeness. Therefore, the Political Reform is one of the solutions besides pointing out the best solution, to see what the consequences that these can generate in Brazilian politics and society. Four conditions are right for democracy not to fade: periodic, free, competitive and unmanned elections. With these four requirements, coupled with good electoral systems, a more solid representative democracy that goes beyond voting will be consolidated.