The instability and violence of the 1890s in Brazil are related to the absence of consensus among the elites regarding a governmental model; and the armed forces are divided over their status, relationship to the political regime, and institutional goals.

The lack of military unity and the disagreement among civilian elites about the military's role in society explain partially why a long-term military dictatorship has not been established, as some officers advocating positivism want.

However, military men are very active in politics; early in the decade, ten of the twenty state governors are officers.