Last month, something remarkable happened in Brazil. The Supreme Federal Court sentenced former president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison for attempting to overturn the results of the last election.

That this is remarkable is, in itself, remarkable. In a world where democratic institutions are under attack, Brazil’s judiciary upheld the rule of law. Contrast this with the United States, where President Donald Trump pardoned those who stormed the Capitol in 2021 to overturn the results of their election. Against that backdrop, Brazil’s response stands out.

Institutions are not abstract. They are made up of people — politicians, judges, legislators, citizens — often working within hostile and polarized climates. Brazil and the U.S. share much in common in this respect, which makes the

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