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Institutional prerogatives secured in the transition from authoritarian rule have not given the military uncontestable political influence in Brazil's new democracy. Rather, electoral competition induces politicians to reduce military interference. Politicians support electorally appealing policies and oppose military efforts to restrict popular mobilization. To control public funds for patronage, they limit military resources. Political support in elections empowers them to act in such areas as labor and budget policy. The decline of military influence justifies a more optimistic assessment of the prospects for overcoming military tutelage in fledgling democracies.