Abstract
We present some arguments to show how political education is a difficult project to be implemented in countries with very similar characteristics, as Italy and Brazil are. Therefore, we seek traces of its definition within laws, legislation, school curricula and in the press. We note that the concerns of political type in the educational processes of the two countries have developed in the same historical period, that is between the 30s and 40s of the twentieth century, with a strong conservative accent. Whether in form of school subjects or as educational practices, differently defined over time, the political education has often taken the ideological dimension of perpetuation of the status quo. Today, at a time of strong conservative reflux, it is difficult to predict the success of any initiative relating to political education, in so far as the most prevalent social, cultural and political practices today are constantly opposite to the values that might be considered universal and serving the interests of all, the ultimate goal of democracy.
Keywords:
political education; civics; history of curriculum; Italy-Brazil