What is it about?
It is about the growing pattern of verbal attacks, insults, and provocations aimed at perceived opponents and vulnerable groups, which have become characteristic features of authoritarian political discourse in various countries. Our findings revealed that, in Brazil, the rhetoric of far-right political leaders and their supporters was used to appeal to specific segments of society and attract voters, while simultaneously slamming democratic institutions. The verbal aggression also served as a distraction, shifting attention away from important discussions about issues such as equality and human rights. Ultimately, the most significant takeaway is that verbal aggression can be seen as a symptom of democratic decline.
Why is it important?
We discovered that Twitter users employed ‘bad language’ and promoted hashtags to discredit STF judges. One motivation for this behavior was to avoid blame in potential legal cases, such as investigations into the spread of fake news by the far-right. Another was to undermine the judges' credibility by disseminating false accusations and insults. Our findings revealed how/why the rhetoric used by Brazil’s far-right political leaders and their supporters was characterized by "bad verbal manners." Ultimately, the most significant takeaway is that verbal aggression can be seen as a symptom of democratic decline in countries like Brazil.