Diniz

follows Marilena Chauí in identifying 4 main components in the Brazilian foundational myth:

(1) view of Brasil as paradise

(2) a theological perspective of history; Brazil as the chosen people

(3) Brasil as having a messianic role in the fight against evil

(4)judicial theocratic role of the state which is seen to be prior to society and have its origin outside of it¹

quoting Chaui

"political events do not appear to originate from society and its battles, but directly from the State...the bloody moments of this history are considered mere conspiracies...or backward popular fanaticism" ²

(24-29, quote 27-28)

o

critiques romantic/nationalistic attempts to define Brazil in terms of its Non-European nature; ignores the internal differences and social injustices within the culture ³(28-29)

o

proposes the replacement of a politics of identity for floating identities, multiple identification or nomadic identifications ⁴

1J Diniz, ' Brazil and Issues of Cultural and National Identity in Latin America', Diálogos Latinoamericanos 2 (2000), 24–38, 24–29.

2J Diniz, ' Brazil and Issues of Cultural and National Identity in Latin America', Diálogos Latinoamericanos 2 (2000), 24–38, 27–28.

3J Diniz, ' Brazil and Issues of Cultural and National Identity in Latin America', Diálogos Latinoamericanos 2 (2000), 24–38, 28–29.

4J Diniz, ' Brazil and Issues of Cultural and National Identity in Latin America', Diálogos Latinoamericanos 2 (2000), 24–38, 31.