Subcidadania no Brasil: a teoria social de Jessé Souza

Summary

In this interview, sociologist Jessé Souza discusses the re-release of his book 'The Social Construction of Subcitizenship,' reflecting on its relevance 20 years later. He explores the concept of subcitizenship, social inequality, and the moral drivers behind human behavior. Souza critiques the focus on corruption in Brazilian discourse, arguing that it obscures deeper issues like racism and inequality. The conversation also touches on the political landscape, including the rise of Bolsonaro and the challenges faced by the left in Brazil.

Takeaways

• 📚 Jessé Souza is relaunching his book 'A Construção Social da Subcidadania' with updated revisions, reflecting on the continuity of its relevance 20 years after its original publication.
• 🤔 Despite thinking he might change much in the new edition, Jessé found that the core ideas of the book still resonated strongly with him, leading to minimal changes beyond a new introductory chapter.
• 🔍 The book focuses on understanding why some people are respected and admired while others are humiliated and despised, delving into the social construction of these perceptions.
• 💡 Jessé draws on the ideas of philosopher Charles Taylor and sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, exploring how social recognition, rather than economic need, drives human behavior.
• 💰 The book argues that even the pursuit of wealth is often more about seeking social recognition than satisfying economic needs.
• 🏦 Jessé categorizes Brazilian society into four social classes: a small elite, a privileged middle class, a precarious working class, and a marginalized underclass, with significant racial implications.
• 👥 The conversation touches on the invisibility of systemic inequalities and how the elite and middle class benefit from and perpetuate these structures.
• ⚖️ Jessé critiques the Brazilian left for failing to adequately counter the narrative of corruption as the nation's core problem, instead of addressing deeper issues like racial and social inequalities.
• 🗳️ Jessé discusses the rise of Bolsonaro, attributing it partly to the failure of the left to address these systemic issues effectively and the manipulation of public sentiment by the elite.
• 🎯 Jessé emphasizes the need for universal policies that genuinely address the needs of marginalized groups, rather than tokenistic representation.

Q & A

Who is the main guest in the conversation, and what is the context of their appearance?

The main guest is sociologist Gessé Souza, who is discussing the relaunch of his book 'A Construção Social da Subcidadania' (The Social Construction of Sub-citizenship) with updated revisions.

What is the central theme of Gessé Souza's book 'A Construção Social da Subcidadania'?

The central theme of the book is the concept of 'sub-citizenship' in Brazil, exploring the social and moral structures that lead to certain groups being respected and admired while others are humiliated and marginalized.

How did Gessé Souza update his book for the new edition?

Gessé Souza added a new introductory chapter addressing the core issue of the book, which is why some people are respected while others are despised. Despite thinking he might change a lot, he found that his original ideas still resonated with him, so he kept most of the book the same.

Which philosophers and sociologists influenced Gessé Souza's work?

Gessé Souza was particularly influenced by philosopher Charles Taylor and sociologist Pierre Bourdieu. Taylor, drawing on Hegel, helped Souza explore the idea that human behavior is driven more by moral motivations than economic ones.

What does Gessé Souza argue is the real motivation behind human behavior, contrary to common beliefs?

Gessé Souza argues that the real motivation behind human behavior is moral rather than economic. People seek social recognition and self-esteem rather than just wealth, which explains why even the very wealthy continue to accumulate more money.

How does Gessé Souza describe the social classes in Brazil?

Gessé Souza describes Brazil as having four main social classes: a small elite, a culturally privileged middle class, a precarious working class, and a marginalized underclass. He notes that the elite owns most of the country’s wealth, while the middle class is defined by cultural capital.

What are the characteristics of the marginalized groups in Brazilian society according to Gessé Souza?

According to Gessé Souza, marginalized groups in Brazil are characterized by economic poverty, but also by moral, affective, and cognitive deprivation. These individuals often come from broken families, face systemic social injustices, and lack access to quality education and opportunities.

What was Gessé Souza’s prediction regarding the 2018 Brazilian presidential election, and what does he reflect on now?

Gessé Souza predicted that the left would need to be very incompetent to lose the 2018 election. Reflecting on the outcome, he discusses the failure of the left and the rise of Bolsonaro, attributing it to the underlying social and economic structures.

What does Gessé Souza say about the role of racism and corruption in Brazilian society?

Gessé Souza argues that racism, disguised as moral outrage over corruption, continues to shape Brazilian society. He criticizes the elite for using the narrative of corruption to criminalize and marginalize the poor and people of color.

What are Gessé Souza’s views on the current Brazilian government’s approach to diversity and representation?

Gessé Souza acknowledges that it’s important to have diverse representation in government, but he emphasizes that universal policies for marginalized groups, particularly for the poor and people of color, are more crucial than simply having individuals from these groups in high positions.