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?