Image
"The Impact of National Polarization on Local Politics in Brazil"
Larissa Migotto is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Illinois. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of political behavior and political communication. Her current research investigates the interplay between national-level polarization and local elections within Brazil's fragmented party system. The project seeks to explain how polarization discourse propagated by national elites influences political rhetoric and voter behavior at the local level.
Her study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between national polarization and local electoral processes through the analysis of elite cues and framing strategies. Methodologically, the project combines semi-structured interviews with political leaders, and content analysis of televised debates and government platforms. Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of polarization in multiparty systems and its implications for democratic governance in Brazil.
The generous support from the Lemann Center has been integral to her work, providing not only critical resources but also 'a home away from home' that has fostered continued engagement with Brazilian scholarship, intellectual debates, and the academic community.