THE EBULLIENCE OF BRAZIL LATI 50 Introduction to Latin America
Dec 22, 2015
THE EBULLIENCE OF BRAZIL
LATI 50Introduction to Latin America
SLOGANS AND STEREOTYPES
• Sambas and beaches
• Racial democracy
• Contrasts with Spanish America
• “country of the future”
• “God is a Brazilian”
VITAL STATISTICS, 2007
• Population (millions) 191.6
• GDP ($U.S. billions) 1314.2
• GDP/capita ($U.S.) 5910
• Poverty rate (% 2006) 33.3
• Life expectancy (years) 72
AGRARIAN CYCLES • Sugar
– Brazilian Northeast
– Slavery
– 30% exports in 1820s, 5% by 1900
• Rubber– 19th century through World War I
• Coffee– South-central Brazil, especially state of São Paulo
– Immigration from Europe
– Risks and competition
– 75% world production in 1900, 67% in 1930, 18% in 1978
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
• Beginning late nineteenth century, accelerated 1930s and 40s
• Concentration in São Paulo
• 30% of GDP by mid-1970s
• Urbanization as consequence
• Role and support of state
• Strength of organized labor
• Reduced dependency, increased autonomy
POLITICAL CHANGE
• First Republic (1889-1930)
• Getúlio Vargas and the Estado Novo (1930-1945)
• Second Republic (1946-1964)
• Military Rule (1964-1985)
• Liberalization and Democratization (1985-present)
• Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula)
BRAZIL: EMERGING POWER?• Demographic size and economic strength
• MERCOSUR and UNASUR
• Containment of Hugo Chávez, leader of “moderate” Left
• Role in international forums (e.g., WTO)
• Candidacy for UN Security Council (G4)
• BRIC and rising powers
• Inclusion in tier of The Eight, right below USA
• Prospects for the future?