Educação para a democracia: Adorno e a reflexão crítica contra o autoritarismo

Abstract

This research investigates the relationship between education and democracy based on the thought of Theodor W. Adorno, seeking to understand how critical reflection can act as a form of resistance to authoritarianism. It starts from the observation that, throughout the twentieth century and into the twenty-first century, democratic societies have been and continue to be threatened by authoritarian tendencies, often naturalized in everyday life. In this context, education must be understood not merely as the transmission of content, but as a formative practice capable of strengthening autonomous, critical subjects who are resistant to ideologies that foster intolerance, submission, and authoritarian propaganda. The guiding question of this study is: in what way does Adorno’s philosophy contribute to grounding an education that serves as a barrier against the authoritarian personality and the new configurations of contemporary authoritarianism? The hypothesis argues that critical education, by prioritizing emancipation and reflective capacity—articulated with an affective pedagogy—constitutes a decisive instrument for the preservation and deepening of democracy. The objective is to analyze the Adornian conception of education for democracy in dialogue with the critique of authoritarianism, highlighting the relevance of The Authoritarian Personality in examining the formation of subjects predisposed to authoritarian character; in connection with Education and Emancipation, which advocates education oriented toward autonomy; and The New Right-Wing Radicalism, which demonstrates the persistence and updating of authoritarianism in democratic societies. The methodological approach consisted of a systematic reading and critical interpretation of Adorno’s works, articulating theory and the historical context of the rise of authoritarian movements, establishing parallels with contemporary reality, and evidencing the continued relevance of critical pedagogy. Taken together, Adorno’s writings provide solid foundations for an educational proposal which, by forming reflective subjects, contributes to democratic resistance in the face of authoritarian threats, confronting oppressive ideologies and sustaining democracy as an ongoing process of construction.