Prosperity and Protest in Brazil: the Wave of the Future for Latin America?

Executive Summary. Results from the 2012 AmericasBarometer Survey indicate that the current protests in Brazil are truly unprecedented in the country's recent history. However, the 2012 data from Brazil also reveal certain trends in socioeconomic development and disenchantment with government performance that have created an environment ripe for the emergence of contentious demonstrations. In a regional analysis of protest participation, rising education levels, increased use of social media, and widespread dissatisfaction with public services emerge as critical determinants of contentious politics, thus shedding light on the recent demonstrations in Brazil. More generally, these findings suggest that across Latin America, the past decade of strong economic growth, advances in education and increased access to social media may portend a new era of protests in countries such as Chile, Uruguay, and Peru that have enjoyed similar periods of rapid socioeconomic development amidst high levels of citizens dissatisfaction with public services.