A Velha Novidade da Pandemia: Neoliberalismo, Meio Ambiente e Covid-19

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to problematize current expectations around the future of Brazil in a context of post-pandemic of Covid-19. Whereas several analyses point out the novel coronavirus as a generator of historical ruptures, capable of fostering considerable economic, political and social change, we argue that the effects of the pandemic are prone to reinforce the established structures. In order to substantiate empirically our investigation, we adopt as a research strategy multi-sited ethnography contributions, through which we juxtapose: (1) the progressive adoption of neoliberal measures, in Brazil and overseas; (2) the intimately related process of environmental deregulamentation in Brazil; and (3) measures taken by the Brazilian government in face of the pandemic of Covid-19. Hence, we identify a process of universalization of economics logic, granting the market the institutional responsibility to control and overcome not only environmental degradation, but also economic crisis and Covid-19 propagation and treatment. Our conclusions indicate that, instead of triggering the process of building a “new world”, crisis such as the current environmental degradation and pandemics might actually sustain the present hegemonic order.

Key-words: Neoliberalism, Anthropocene, Covid-19