The point of departure of the article is a discussion of the social roles intellectuals play in the political life of modern societies. Subsequently an analysis of the difficulties that intellectuals tend to have, when exercising power, in dealing with political realities is presented. In this context the article discusses the why and the how FHC is a rare case of a successful intellectual in the politics of a complex democratic country, of continental dimension, with the specificities of contemporary Brazil. The association of theory and experience in the political judgment of FHC in dealing with the realities he faced as President is explored as well as his style of leadership that blended change and pacification, always bearing in mind the sense of direction of his outlook as an intellectual.
Intellectuals in politics; the political-intellectual career of Fernando Henrique Cardoso; presidential power in democratic Brazil