Espectros do passado: memória, mito e poder na trajetória de Júlio de Mesquita Filho (1925-1969)

Abstract

This dissertation examines the trajectory and works of journalist Júlio de Mesquita Filho (1892–1969), director and publisher of the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, to analyze how a political-cultural interpretation of Brazil was constructed through the mythical nativism of the São Paulo “bandeiras.” By studying the written traces that sought to reconstruct a nativist experience, the research demonstrates that these narratives not only aimed to revive atavistic traditions through myth but also articulated forms of action, political engagement, and active memory production. The analysis focuses on the period between 1925, marked by the publication of A Crise Nacional, and 1969, the year of Mesquita Filho’s death and the posthumous release of Política e Cultura. Across these decades, regionalist tendencies shaped university projects, such as the founding of the University of São Paulo, as well as broader interpretations of Brazilian history. The symbolic and political disputes – embodied by Getúlio Vargas, his allies, and “heirs” – reflect deep tensions between political power and projects of representation and memory. Furthermore, the dissertation explores how a teleological philosophy of history, rooted in myth and used to legitimize São Paulo’s leadership, established hierarchies and claimed tutelary authority over various historical periods. The study closely examines how the concept of liberalism was reconfigured to integrate ideas about race, history, economics, and educational models, contributing to particular visions of society. Methodologically, the research avoids privileging any single analytical framework, engaging with approaches from cultural history, intellectual history, and political history. The theoretical foundation draws on authors such as Karl Marx, Walter Benjamin, Reinhart Koselleck, Michael Löwy, Florestan Fernandes, and Muniz Sodré, grounding an exegetical analysis of temporalities, the formation of the Brazilian bourgeoisie, and the political uses of memory and the past. The title is inspired by Jacques Derrida’s Specters of Marx, evoking reflection on the historical reverberations and consequences of doctrines, consensuses, and unrealized possibilities.