Bryan McCann - Dissent Magazine

Brazil’s Coalition Against Democracy

Bryan McCann ▪ October 15, 2018

Jair Bolsonaro’s electorate—a loose coalition brought together by the candidate’s appeal to “bullets, bibles, and bulls”—stands perilously close to dragging Brazil back into authoritarianism.

A Glimmer of Hope in Brazil

Bryan McCann ▪ September 14, 2018

Building on the legacy of the assassinated Rio councilwoman Marielle Franco, a new wave of local candidates is fighting to transform the country’s democracy.

Brazil’s New Right

Bryan McCann ▪ Spring 2018

Since Dilma Rousseff’s impeachment, Brazil has been in political turmoil. With ex-president Lula’s recent surrender, a new right threatens to become the decisive force in the 2018 elections.

Brazil’s Democracy Back in the Streets

Bryan McCann ▪ June 13, 2016

If there is any positive aspect to Brazil’s current crisis, it is the reemergence of non-partisan, civil-society mobilization in response to impeachment and its fallout.

Politicians like Lula and Rousseff should neither be above the law nor prosecuted outside it. As Brazil weathers corruption scandals and a democratic crisis, history reminds us that ignoring due process carries grave dangers.

A World Cup Win for Brazil?

Bryan McCann ▪ July 9, 2014

FIFA thought Brazil was an easy mark, but has learned what every three-card monte dealer knows: when the law comes around, you better fold up your table and beat it, or you might find yourself in real trouble. Police in …

Brazil Starts the World Cup With a Hangover

Bryan McCann ▪ June 13, 2014

The Brazilian team’s performance in the World Cup opener mirrored the host country’s preparations for the event—moments of brilliance offset by disorganization, self-destructive lunges, farce, corruption, and a dubious result. If this is victory—no thanks. Back in 2007, when Brazil …

Spiking in the Favelas: Violence and Volleyball in Rio

Bryan McCann ▪ Fall 2013

Ravel Gonçalves Mendonça is a 17-year-old beach volleyball phenom from Rio. He is currently training with Brazil’s national team at its state-of-the-art facility. But his country’s preparation for the Olympics has eliminated what used to be Ravel’s home.