Once upon a constituent assembly

the dispute over Brazil’s post-dictatorship constitutional order

Abstract

João Almino’s book Era uma Vez uma Constituinte: Lições de 1946 e questões de hoje (1985) examines the key debates and contradictions within the Brazilian constituent process of 1946—viewed against the backdrop of the country's redemocratization following the *Estado Novo*—while drawing parallels with the Constituent Assembly that would produce the 1988 Constitution. The work highlights the tension between the political ideologies involved in this process, particularly regarding civil liberties, labor union organization, property rights, and the role of political parties. The text critically elucidates the historical and political context surrounding the drafting of the 1946 Constitution, offering insights essential to understanding the challenges facing the current constitutional order. Thus, Almino’s analysis serves as an indispensable reference for reflecting on the paths of democracy and legitimacy in Brazil.