The Political Realm: Journal of Undergraduate Research in Political Science and International Relations
Abstract
The main argument of this article is that right‑wing populism has endured in Hungary but collapsed in Brazil because of fundamental differences in institutional design, party cohesion, media control, and the strength of horizontal accountability. Orbán leveraged Hungary’s parliamentary fusion of powers, disciplined Fidesz party, and near-total media dominance to consolidate illiberal rule, while Bolsonaro was constrained by Brazil’s fragmented presidential system, weak party ties, independent judiciary, and pluralistic press. Through this comparative analysis, the paper shows how structural conditions—not just populist rhetoric—shape the durability of democratic backsliding.
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Recommended Citation
Fensterstock, Cooper
(2026)
"Why Right-Wing Populism Endured in Hungary but Collapsed in Brazil: A Comparative Institutional Analysis,"
The Political Realm: Journal of Undergraduate Research in Political Science and International Relations: Vol. 35, Article 6.
Available at:
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/political-realm/vol35/iss1/6