Da cegueira à lucidez

This essay analyzes the books Ensaio sobre a cegueira (1995) and Ensaio sobre a lucidez (2004) by José Saramago, exploring the intersection of law and literature, and offering reflections on democracy and its representation in the legal and literary imaginations. In Ensaio sobre a cegueira, the white blindness, an allegory for the anomie of postmodern society, leads to the collapse of institutions in the face of crisis, resulting in a "democratic suspension" that leads to repression and dehumanization. The book reflects on the role of law and institutions in protecting human dignity, highlighting the citizen responsibility (of having sight) of the doctor's wife as fundamental in resisting barbarism and restoring humanity. In Ensaio sobre a lucidez, Saramago critiques the hollowing out of formal democracy, using the blank vote as an allegory of protest against the disconnection between the government, which responds to popular protests with an authoritarian escalation culminating in an act of state terrorism, and the governed. The book suggests that democracy must be a continuous process of vigilance and active citizen participation, challenging the reader to reflect on collective political responsibility. In conclusion, the works offer valuable elements for legal reflections on democracy, promoting a transformative praxis in the search for democratic citizenship.