Presidência-máquina e presidência espectral: esfera pública e jogo de cena na política do espetáculo

摘要

Discussing the thesis of politics as spectacle, this article develops a critical reflection on the historical meaning of public appearance principles underlying the last two Brazilianpresidents, Fernando Collor de Mello and Fernando Henrique Cardoso. First, we assess the main theses about the relationship between media and politics. Following this, wework on constructing the historical concepts necessary to understand the intervention of the previously mentioned governments in that field. Finally, we project our analysisinto a broader historical context, enlightening from another perspective the conclusions drawn from the interpretative use of concepts of machinery and spectral presidencies.