Corinthians Democracy

The Corinthians' Democracy (Portuguese: Democracia Corintiana) was an ideological movement and an innovative way to manage a club, recognized in Brazil as one of the most important actions in the intend to struggle against dictatorship and the only movement of this nature installed on a football club known to this day. At the time, it was a challenge to the military government even to spell "Democracy".

Led by the cultured midfield maestro Sócrates^[1] and by full back Wladimir, and with the consent of club president Waldemar Pires, the squad players took control over the management of the team Sport Club Corinthians Paulista. One of the most notable decisions they made was, in 1982, having "Vote on 15th" printed on the back of their shirts to motivate fans to vote in the first Brazilian multiparty election since the 1964 military coup.

The movement had the backing of artists and intellectuals, such as senior media creative Washington Olivetto, who coined the term Democracia Corintiana. Eventually, the government reacted, as Brigadier Jerônimo Bastos, head of the CBD, warned the club for interfering in political affairs.

References

1. ^ Sócrates - midfielder and anti-dictatorship resister | libcom.org