Don Rafael of Orléans-Bragança has been the Prince Imperial of Brazil since 8 November 2024, when his father, Don António, unfortunately passed away. Although this interview took place before that, it may be the first published with Rafael as the direct heir of the Brazilian throne. The European Conservative’s Rafael Pinto Borges met HIRH at Lisbon’s Grémio Literário to discuss the state of Western civilisation and Brazil’s enduring contribution to it.
Western civilization is facing a crisis of values and spirituality. Does Your Highness subscribe to this interpretation?
We are facing a genuine crisis of civilisation—not only in Brazil but also in Europe, in America, and across the globe. This is a moment of polarisation, a crisis of values and principles. Our polarisation is not a mere matter of party affiliations. It represents a clash of belief systems.
The prime minister of Singapore has argued that the ‘woke’ movement, instead of making society fairer or more harmonious, has served to divide it. In contrast, Brazil’s unity is based on a common identity that underlies its great diversity of ethnicities. Do you believe wokeness represents a threat to the unity of the Brazilian nation?
The woke movement is increasingly fragmenting society. Rather than recognizing Brazil as a unified entity where ethnic diversity enhances its cohesion, harmony, and warmth, many now work to divide it into victors and victims. This approach undermines the foundation of Brazil, traditionally known as a happy, warm, and welcoming nation. As society divides into subgroups, acceptance among these groups diminishes, creating a tense, very challenging situation.
Historically, Brazil has admired American culture. Some years ago, children dreamed of visiting Disney World, inspired by the allure of the American dream. However, children today are given very different messages from America. The current influence of the woke movement in the U.S. is not only affecting American society but is also spreading globally, impacting nations like Brazil due to the widespread reach of American culture.
I sometimes think that the very strong Anglo-Saxon, American influence over Brazil might have been detrimental to the development of Brazilian identity. Brazil, after all, has her roots in a Catholic-Portuguese identity.
Indeed, the original identity of the Brazilian people is rooted in its Catholic-Portuguese heritage. This identity has faced challenges as a result of American influence. However, it is important to note that America, despite its Protestant origins, also developed with Christian values that remain significant, albeit under threat. One issue is that media portrayals often focus solely on liberal America, overshadowing the majority of the nation, which continues to cleave to traditional Christian values.
This media bias presents a skewed view, emphasising only select narratives while obscuring the broader, more comprehensive reality. This contributes to the perception that there is an identity crisis in Brazil. It might not be so much a crisis of identity as a case of the country losing touch with its past. There is a saying that resonates: ‘You have to know where you come from to know where you’re going.’ This concept is essential in understanding Brazil’s formation and identity.
Brazil’s strength lies in its historical journey—shaped by significant figures and the confluence of cultures and peoples—which has built the nation’s unique character. The perceived identity crisis stems from a disconnect with Brazil’s origins as a Portuguese-founded nation. Despite this, Brazil remains a united country with Portuguese as the common language spoken from north to south, east to west, creating a sense of national cohesion. Comparatively smaller nations like Switzerland manage multiple official languages, while Brazil, despite its vastness, retains linguistic unity due to its heritage.
It is also important to recognize Brazil’s profound connection to Portugal. Brazil is fundamentally the offspring of Portugal, which constitutes an immense and foundational part of its identity. While this may not be widely perceived today, acknowledging Portugal as the birthplace of Brazilian civilization is crucial to appreciating the country’s heritage.
There are several monarchist-conservative institutions in Brazil that are now making this point very clearly. Brazil was not born in 1889 when the Republic was proclaimed. Brazil is, in fact, a nation that is 500 years old; indeed, if we count its mother-civilisation, as the great Tito Lívio Ferreira did, it really has a history of a thousand years.
There is a growing awareness among Brazilians that this work of cultural self-rediscovery is crucial for Brazil’s future. Without it, the nation risks becoming rootless, confused about its identity, and ignorant of its role in the world. The solution to this challenge lies in celebrating the past; the past forms the core of one’s identity. As a Brazilian, one’s presence today is a direct consequence of past events, and without understanding that journey, there is a risk of becoming disconnected, as if you belonged to nothing.
What is now Brazil was inhabited by indigenous peoples before the Portuguese arrived. Comparing the Portuguese colonisation of Brazil with the Spanish colonisation of the rest of the Americas reveals a very different process. The independence process in Brazil differed from that of the rest of the Americas; it was peaceful and smooth, akin to a son emancipating from his father. During that period, Brazil served as the centre of the Portuguese kingdom for almost 15 years, with Rio de Janeiro as the capital of the Portuguese Empire for 13 years between 1808 and 1822.
For almost a century, Brazil has been a great power of the future, whether under President Vargas, under President Kubitschek, or today. The problem is that this development always seems to be somewhere in a future that never actually seems to arrive. Is Brazil finally ready to play its role as a great power?
Brazil experienced rapid development after it acquired independence in the 19th century. During the First and Second Empires—in the reigns of Pedro I and his son, Pedro II of Brazil—the country saw a period of fast ascendancy. However, when the republic was established in 1889, progress began to slow down. The argument is that the system of constitutional monarchy provides a country with continuity, identity, and stability—three critical aspects for a nation’s growth and success. This continuity allows for a more consistent development trajectory.
Instead, with a republic, there is a new president, a new direction, and a new team every four years, leading to constant changes. Under a constitutional monarchy, while there is still a democratic government with a prime minister who runs the country, the monarch serves as a stabilising presence. The monarch stands above political parties and individual interests, acting in the service of the people. This continuity and stability could be why Brazil, as a republic, faces difficulties realising its full potential, often struggling with internal conflicts.
Despite these challenges, Brazil possesses significant strengths: a hardworking population; vast natural resources; and potential in agriculture, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Brazil, given its size, population, and resources, has the characteristics of a superpower. However, these attributes are not being leveraged to their maximum potential.
Great nations are defined by the relevance of their contribution to broader humanity. Is there a particular ethos—a mindset—that Brazil can give to the world?
Brazil indeed possesses a distinctive ethos. As a melting pot of different cultures, Brazil’s greatness is rooted in its Portuguese heritage. The way Portugal shaped Brazil is fundamental to its character. One of the most significant traits inherited from the Portuguese people is the capacity to be welcoming and understanding, and to live in harmony. This is perhaps the most valuable contribution that Brazil can offer the world: an openness and willingness to embrace people of all backgrounds, origins, and religions. The Brazilian mindset has a unique ability to understand and accept others, fostering an inclusive and harmonious environment.
What is the role of the monarchy? Should it be a ceremonial factor of unity, or an institution ready to intervene in political debates in order to defend what truly matters? I recall King Baudouin of Belgium who, in the 1990s, bravely refused to sign an abortion bill.
The role of a monarch should not necessarily be to stay away from politically divisive issues. The key is to avoid taking sides and to prioritise what is best for the long term. In the current polarised climate, what is often missing is the pursuit of common ground. Instead of seeking ways to move forward together, people tend to become entrenched in their positions, leading to confrontations where each side insists on being heard without compromise. This dynamic creates divisions that make it increasingly difficult for communities to coexist peacefully.
In this context, the monarch—or, in Brazil’s case, the emperor—has a vital role to play as a moderator and as a lasting symbol of national unity. The monarch can act as an impartial figure, above political disputes, ensuring that the long-term interests of the nation are safeguarded, and that society remains cohesive despite ideological differences.
This interview appears in the Winter 2024 issue of The European Conservative, Number 33:73-75.
