Although it was theoretically a constitutional democracy, the Old Republic was characterized by the power of regional oligarchies and the seldom broken alternation of power in the federal sphere between the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais.
Meskipun itu secara teori demokrasi konstitusional, Republik Lama caracterized oleh kekuatan daerah oligarki dan alternance ketat kekuasaan antara negara-negara São Paulo dan Minas Gerais.