Judicialization of politics as a coalition parties’ tool (1995-2010)

Abstract

The judicialization in Brazil has been carried out by political parties and associations. To understand the judicialization as party tool, several studies have focused on opposition parties, and little attention has been given to ruling parties. This article analyzes and compares Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995-1998/1999-2002) and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2003-2006/2007-2010) administrations to understand the uses of judicialization of politics by Coalition parties. The study focuses on Supreme Court challenging Federal acts on grounds of unconstitutionality. The analysis are based on judicialization theoretical approaches and studies about political parties out of power in Brasil. As results, we realize, qualitatively, a common use in both governments, and quantitatively, two distinct uses.

Keywords

• Judicialização da política
• Partidos governistas
• Supremo Tribunal Federal
• Ações declaratórias de Inconstitucionalidade (ADIs).