ABSTRACT
Since its independence in 1821, Brazil has experienced several major changes of regime, An extended period of stable monarchical rule, the Empire, gave way in 1889 to a highly decentralized, federated republic ruled by state oligarchies. The First, or Old Republic was abolished in 1930 by a revolution which ushered in a fifteen year dictatorship by Getúlio Vargas. From 1945 to 1964, a crisis ridden Second Republic reintroduced decentralized and competitive politics within a liberal democratic framework. Since 1964, Brazil has been ruled by an overtly authoritarian and politically conservative military regime.
