Book Project

Uniformed Representation: The Electoral Rise of Security Officials in Democratic Brazil
Book Conference held May 2026

Uniformed Representation examines the growing political power of law enforcement officials through democratic institutions in Brazil. As police and other security personnel increasingly seek elected office, the book asks what they hope to achieve, how they pursue political influence, and what consequences their representation has for democracy and public policy. It argues that law enforcement officials advance their interests through both direct representation—running for elected office—and indirect representation by shaping the agendas of influential political actors. Drawing on over eight months of fieldwork, more than 110 interviews, original datasets on elections, campaign platforms, and legislative activity, the book shows that although law enforcement candidates often face electoral disadvantages, moments of political upheaval, particularly the rise of Jair Bolsonaro, temporarily expand their political opportunities. At the same time, the book demonstrates that the movement’s electoral success ultimately undermined the quality of its representation, shifting it from substantive policy advocacy toward increasingly symbolic politics. By centering law enforcement as relevant political actors in everyday processes of democratic contestation, Uniformed Representation offers a new framework for understanding the electoral rise of security officials and its implications for representation, democratic governance, and public security policy.
Winner of the Best Dissertation in Human Rights Award, Human Rights Section, APSA (2025)