Aldo Arantes defends Lula, denounces the culture war, and proposes a broad front for national sovereignty.

247 - In an interview with journalist Leonardo Attuch, editor of TV 247, former constituent assembly member, writer, and former student leader Aldo Arantes analyzed the Brazilian and international political landscape in light of his most recent book. Domination of Minds: From the Military Coup to the Culture WarThe interview addresses the risks of the ideological hegemony of the far right, the role of US-led imperialism, and the challenges faced by President Lula in the current political context.

“It is fundamental that the PT and President Lula prioritize the ideological struggle,” stated Aldo. According to him, this is the only way to contain the advance of the extreme right, which has abandoned military coups to seize power through cultural warfare, with intensive use of social media, fake news, and the support of think tanks and conservative religious sectors.

The threat of Trump and the importance of sovereignty.

Aldo Arantes highlighted that the support of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, for the Brazilian far-right constitutes a clear imperialist interference. According to him, this support is not limited to Jair Bolsonaro, but is related to Brazil's position within the BRICS, especially its advocacy for a new international currency led by Lula. "This aggressive policy of Trump ends up bringing Brazil closer to China and the BRICS, which, in the end, could be positive for the country," he said.

He also highlighted the strategic role of the president of the New Development Bank of the BRICS, Dilma Rousseff, in consolidating a financial system alternative to the dollar, and advocated for closer ties with countries like India and China, which operate with greater autonomy in the face of US imperialism.

The culture war and the domination of minds

Aldo Arantes' book details how the far right has transformed the culture war into a power strategy, replacing the use of force with ideological domination based on emotion and irrationality. "Today, the struggle of ideas takes place more in the realm of emotion than reason. Faith, fear, and hatred are the instruments used to manipulate consciences," he stated.

According to him, the Lula government and progressive forces can no longer underestimate this strategy. "We need a broad ideological front that unites parties, social movements, and entities like the UNE (National Union of Students), with a common program of popular awareness."

Aldo highlighted the role of neo-Pentecostal churches as the main vector for the ideological penetration of the far right among the popular classes. "These neo-fascist pastors manipulate people's faith. It is necessary to denounce them, without disrespecting the faithful," he explained.

Proposals for the ideological dispute

Aldo Arantes proposed the construction of a "democratic ideological struggle," structured in 14 points, as a response to fake news and the emotional manipulation promoted by the right wing. He advocates the use of concrete facts, but articulated with the feelings of the people, such as indignation in the face of injustice, hunger, misery, and abandonment.

According to the former congressman, issues such as taxing the super-rich, defending national sovereignty, women's rights, and combating corruption should be addressed with direct, emotional, and accessible language. "That's how you speak to the people, not just with graphs and numbers," he argued.

He also criticized the scattered actions of progressive parties and organizations and advocated for a unified effort. “The right wing is organized. We can't continue each on our own. If there's no coordination, we could have serious problems in the 2026 elections.”

Communication and big tech

Regarding communication challenges, Aldo lamented the predominance of a private and concentrated media system that does not act in favor of national sovereignty. He advocated for the strengthening of public media outlets and the regulation of big tech companies. “The main force of capitalism today lies in big tech. It is necessary to confront them, defend digital sovereignty, and create national alternatives, including public platforms.”

He revealed that the book addresses how these companies accumulate power through data mining and algorithmic manipulation, which represents a direct threat to democracy and the self-determination of peoples.

The role of youth and the memory of the struggle.

Aldo also commented on the situation of Brazilian youth. He said that, although the current context is more adverse than in the 1960s, when he presided over the UNE (National Union of Students), there is still potential for mobilization. “The ideological struggle also needs to be waged in universities and schools, where the far right has been gaining ground. And this didn't fall from the sky, it was financed,” he observed.

He shared historical episodes experienced during the campaign for legality and the 1964 coup, warning that, just as before, conservative sectors still operate with strong national coordination and international support.

Socialism, China and the future

Finally, Aldo reaffirmed his belief in socialism, but with Brazilian characteristics. He said that the Chinese experience offers valuable lessons, especially in the way that country has managed to combine economic planning, technological innovation, and social stability. "China combined Marx's socialism, the market as an instrument, and Confucian thought as a cultural foundation. And it has been building a concrete alternative to imperialist domination."

He concluded the interview by reminding the audience that the ideological struggle is not just a matter of communication, but of worldview. “Without awareness, there is no way to resist. The left needs to set its soul on fire, as Getúlio Vargas used to say.” Watch: