What is democracia corinthiana?

Democracia Corinthiana was a political movement that emerged in the 1980s in Brazil, led by players of the Corinthians football club in São Paulo. It was a collective decision-making process that challenged traditional authoritarian models of Brazilian football governance, where club presidents and managers had absolute power over players. The idea was to promote participation and democracy in the decision-making process of the team, allowing every player to have a say in everything, from team tactics to the choice of sponsors. The movement was successful, and Corinthians won three titles in two years. It was also influential in the transition to democracy in Brazil, inspiring other clubs and social groups to question authoritarianism in football and society. However, the movement lost momentum in the mid-80s amid increasing commercialization and the departure of key players. Nevertheless, it remains an important part of Brazilian football history and an example of how sports can help promote social and political change.