Artur da Távola
Encyclopedia
Artur da Távola was a Brazil
ian politician
, former Senator
, journalist
and writer
. His real name was Paulo Alberto Moretzsohn Monteiro de Barros as he used Artur da Távola as a pseudonym
.
Távola began his career as a journalist and writer. He authored twenty-three books during the course of his career. He did not enter politics
until 1960. He was forced into exile in Bolivia and Chile from 1964 until 1968 due to Brazil's military dictatorship, which remained in power from 1964 until 1985. Távola adopted his well known pseudonym
"Artur da Tavola," which was a reference
to King Arthur
. His adopted name allowed him to resume his career in journalism
while the military dictatorship
was still in power.
Távola returned to politics following the end of military rule in 1985. He participated in the 1988 constituent assembly
and served as a federal
deputy
from 1987 until 1995. He was elected to the Brazilian Senate from Rio de Janeiro
in 1994 and took office in 1995. He remained in office in the Senate until 2002.
Távola was a founding member of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party
(PSDB), which governed the country from 1995 until 2002. However, Távola formally left the Brazilian Social Democracy Party in 1999 as the result of a dispute with Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso
. Távola accused Cardoso, who was another founder of the PSDB, of abandoning the party's social democracy
ideals for more conservative policies.
Artur da Távola died of heart disease
in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
, at the age of 72 on May 9, 2008.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, former Senator
Senate of Brazil
The Federal Senate of Brazil is the upper house of the National Congress of Brazil. Created by the first Constitution of the Brazilian Empire in 1824, it was inspired by the United Kingdom's House of Lords, but with the Proclamation of the Republic in 1889 it became closer to the United States...
, journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. His real name was Paulo Alberto Moretzsohn Monteiro de Barros as he used Artur da Távola as a pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
.
Távola began his career as a journalist and writer. He authored twenty-three books during the course of his career. He did not enter politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
until 1960. He was forced into exile in Bolivia and Chile from 1964 until 1968 due to Brazil's military dictatorship, which remained in power from 1964 until 1985. Távola adopted his well known pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
"Artur da Tavola," which was a reference
Reference
Reference is derived from Middle English referren, from Middle French rèférer, from Latin referre, "to carry back", formed from the prefix re- and ferre, "to bear"...
to King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
. His adopted name allowed him to resume his career in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
while the military dictatorship
Military dictatorship
A military dictatorship is a form of government where in the political power resides with the military. It is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military....
was still in power.
Távola returned to politics following the end of military rule in 1985. He participated in the 1988 constituent assembly
Constituent assembly
A constituent assembly is a body composed for the purpose of drafting or adopting a constitution...
and served as a federal
Federal government
The federal government is the common government of a federation. The structure of federal governments varies from institution to institution. Based on a broad definition of a basic federal political system, there are two or more levels of government that exist within an established territory and...
deputy
Deputy (legislator)
A deputy is a legislator in many countries, particularly those with legislatures styled as a 'Chamber of Deputies' or 'National Assembly'.-List of countries:This is an list of countries using the term 'deputy' or one of its cognates....
from 1987 until 1995. He was elected to the Brazilian Senate from Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
in 1994 and took office in 1995. He remained in office in the Senate until 2002.
Távola was a founding member of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party
Brazilian Social Democracy Party
The Brazilian Social Democracy Party is a centrist political party in Brazil. Originally a centre-left party at the time of its foundation, PSDB moved to the centre after Fernando Henrique Cardoso forged an alliance with the right-wing Liberal...
(PSDB), which governed the country from 1995 until 2002. However, Távola formally left the Brazilian Social Democracy Party in 1999 as the result of a dispute with Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Fernando Henrique Cardoso – also known by his initials FHC – was the 34th President of the Federative Republic of Brazil for two terms from January 1, 1995 to December 31, 2002. He is an accomplished sociologist, professor and politician...
. Távola accused Cardoso, who was another founder of the PSDB, of abandoning the party's social democracy
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
ideals for more conservative policies.
Artur da Távola died of heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, at the age of 72 on May 9, 2008.