Discussing the Culture War
Keywords:
Neoliberalismo, Extremismo de extrema-direita, Dominação ideológica, Guerra Cultural, Capitalismo de dados, LawfareAbstract
In Dominion of Minds: from the Military Coup to the Cultural War, Aldo Arantes critically examines the rise of neoliberalism, far-right extremism, and ideological domination strategies in Brazil and globally. Structured in two parts, the book bridges theoretical frameworks with proposals for resistance. Arantes condemns neoliberalism—initiated in the 1970s—for driving financialization, labor deregulation, and income inequality, exacerbating social disparities (supported by data from Piketty and OXFAM). Governments like those of Temer and Bolsonaro are criticized for dismantling labor rights, exemplified by the 2017 labor reform and the erosion of Brazil’s Consolidated Labor Laws (CLT).
Arantes links neoliberal austerity to fascism, citing Clara Mattei’s work, and exposes the weaponization of lawfare to persecute political opponents (e.g., the legal persecution of Lula). The book analyzes how far-right actors—including Steve Bannon and Olavo de Carvalho—leverage fake news, algorithms (via Cambridge Analytica), and digital platforms to spread hatred and destabilize democracies, as seen in the elections of Trump and Bolsonaro. It highlights how Big Tech corporations (e.g., Facebook, Google) monetize personal data, manipulate behaviors, and undermine electoral integrity, while lax regulation threatens privacy and autonomy.
The author denounces neofascist groups, evangelical caucuses, militarized governance, and pro-market think tanks (e.g., Instituto Millenium, LIDE) for advancing conservative agendas, attacking human rights, and aligning with capitalist interests. Arantes proposes a "Programmatic Plan" to strengthen democracy through income redistribution, public education, Big Tech regulation, anti-disinformation measures, and political reforms with public funding. Drawing inspiration from China’s "renewed socialism," he advocates blending state planning and market dynamism.
Ultimately, the book warns against neoliberal ideological domination and cultural warfare, stressing the urgency of uniting social movements, ethical tech governance, and national sovereignty to forge an inclusive democratic project. Arantes’ work is a call to confront authoritarianism and rebuild democracy through justice, equity, and collective resistance.
