THE ELITIZATION OF BRAZILIAN HIGHER EDUCATION: HISTORY, INEQUALITIES, AND CHALLENGES FOR THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF ACCESS

Abstract

Brazilian higher education bears a legacy of exclusion, having been structured primarily to serve the interests of dominant elites. Although programs to expand enrollment and extend institutional reach into the interior have increased the presence of marginalized groups, these initiatives have been hindered by the commodification of education and the persistence of structural inequalities. Against this backdrop, the research problem arises: How have the expansion and democratization policies of Brazilian higher education contributed to overcoming the historical process of elitism in access, and what mechanisms of inequality remain within the system? This study aimed to analyze the process of elitization in Brazilian universities, considering their historical trajectory, public inclusion policies, and the persistence of social disparities. The methodology involved qualitative, analytical bibliographic and documentary research, conducted via a scoping review of the Periódicos Capes database using the descriptors "elitization" and "higher education," resulting in the analysis of 18 articles. The study concludes that elitization is both historical and structural in nature. Although the expansion of enrollment slots and affirmative action measures have increased the admission of marginalized groups, inequality is reproduced internally through the concentration of high-income students in high-prestige degree programs. Effective democratization requires integrated policies that ensure not only access but also student retention and degree completion.