Re-Socialization and Political Engagement: Exploring Brazilian Migrants' Political Attitudes and Identities Abroad

This research delves into the determinants shaping the political engagement of Brazilian migrants, focusing particularly on the surge in their participation in Brazilian general elections from 2018 to 2022 and the intensified polarization accompanying this trend. The study seeks to comprehend why members of the Brazilian migrant community residing in Barcelona and Lisbon exhibit significantly more progressive/left-wing voting patterns compared to their counterparts in cities like Boston, Miami or Tokyo, where the diaspora predominantly supports right-wing populism. To achieve this goal, the research employs a comprehensive methodology combining in-depth biographical interviews and focus group discussions. This approach allows for an examination of the process of re-socialization experienced by Brazilian migrants in their new environments and its impact on their political identities and behaviours. In pursuit of this understanding, the study scrutinizes key drivers such as social status, gender, religion, and sources of political information, exploring their role in shaping the political attitudes of Brazilian migrants, including their voting options. The findings shed light on the evolving political engagement of Brazilian migrants in Barcelona and Lisbon and offer insights into the broader question of how migrants' political attitudes and behaviours are shaped in and by their new homes. This research contributes to a better understanding of the intricate relationship between migration and political participation abroad, as well as immigrants' motivations and political identities while navigating their new socio-political landscapes.