Institutionalization of rural social movements in the Lula government and the decline of land reform in Brazil: co-option, political identity, and agency

Abstract

This paper analyses the institutionalization of rural social movements during the Lula government in Brazil, in light of a worsening of land reform in the period as well as continued government support of traditional rural elites, resulting in the expansion of large landholdings at the expense of family held small holdings. It questions the major theories addressing this phenomenon and its outcomes, largely centred on co-option processes and presents an alternative explanation, stemming from a series of interrelated factors until now generally not considered in the literature. It argues that these academic debates need to acknowledge the existence of a role played by identity, creativity, agency, and political opportunities of these actors, as well as their predefined meanings and strategies.