Starting Over: Brazil Since 1985 (A Brookings Latin America Initiative)

Brazil has undergone transformative change since the 1980s, from an authoritarian regime to a democratic society advancing on all fronts—political, social, economic, and diplomatic. In Starting Over, Albert Fishlow traces the evolution of this member of the BRICS group over the last twenty-five years and looks toward the future as the newly elected president, Dilma Rousseff, follows her very popular predecessor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, or "Lula." The transformation of the country began with the founding of the Nova República and the Constitution of 1988, which established a strong executive and encased key social principles such as a citizen's right to education and health care. Then the Real Plan of 1994—initiated under President Fernando Henrique Cardoso—set the stage for economic growth and a stable economy. There were setbacks, especially in the mid-1990s with the Mexican devaluation, Asian financial crisis, Russian default, and Argentine collapse, and, later, the U.S. recession. But changed economic policies in the late 1990s put Brazil on the right path to future economic growth, which resumed during the Lula years. With popular participation in the electoral process at an all-time high, politics has been profoundly altered in Brazil. Economic rules are now more permanent, and economic advance more regular. A healthier and longer life is now available to a broader swath of the population, and there is opportunity for social advancement. In addition, its foreign policy has greater consequence internally as well as externally. Dilma's two immediate predecessors—Cardoso and Lula—are tough acts to follow.Their influence has been profound, and Brazil is now a very different nation than it was in the 1980s. But she is working from their template to move the country forward. This insightful book clearly explains how and why the country has progressed to its current standing and what the future portends. Starting Over is essential reading for anyone trying to grasp what is happening in this dynamic nation. " Brazil has undergone transformative change since the 1980s, from an authoritarian regime to a democratic society advancing on all frontspolitical, social, economic, and diplomatic. In Starting Over, Albert Fishlow traces the evolution of this member of the BRICS group over the last twenty-five years and looks toward the future as the newly elected president, Dilma Rousseff, follows her very popular predecessor, Luiz Incio Lula da Silva, or ""Lula."" The transformation of the country began with the founding of the Nova Repblica and the Constitution of 1988, which established a strong executive and encased key social principles such as a citizen's right to education and health care. Then the Real Plan of 1994initiated under President Fernando Henrique Cardososet the stage for economic growth and a stable economy. There were setbacks, especially in the mid-1990s with the Mexican devaluation, Asian financial crisis, Russian default, and Argentine collapse, and, later, the U.S. recession. But changed economic policies in the late 1990s put Brazil on the right path to future economic growth, which resumed during the Lula years. With popular participation in the electoral process at an all-time high, politics has been profoundly altered in Brazil. Economic rules are now more permanent, and economic advance more regular. A healthier and longer life is now available to a broader swath of the population, and there is opportunity for social advancement. In addition, its foreign policy has greater consequence internally as well as externally. Dilma's two immediate predecessorsCardoso and Lulaare tough acts to follow. Their influence has been profound, and Brazil is now a very different nation than it was in the 1980s. But she is working from their template to move the country forward. This insightful book clearly explains how and why the country has progressed to its current standing and what the future portends. Starting Over is essential reading" Brazil has undergone transformative change since the 1980s, from an authoritarian regime to a democratic society advancing on all fronts—political, social, economic, and diplomatic. In Starting Over, Albert Fishlow traces the evolution of this member of the BRICS group over the last twenty-five years and looks toward the future as the newly elected president, Dilma Rousseff, follows her very popular predecessor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, or'Lula.'The transformation of the country began with the founding of the Nova República and the Constitution of 1988, which established a strong executive and encased key social principles such as a citizen's right to education and health care. Then the Real Plan of 1994—initiated under President Fernando Henrique Cardoso—set the stage for economic growth and a stable economy. There were setbacks, especially in the mid-1990s with the Mexican devaluation, Asian financial crisis, Russian default, and Argentine collapse, and, later, the U.S. recession. But changed economic policies in the late 1990s put Brazil on the right path to future economic growth, which resumed during the Lula years.With popular participation in the electoral process at an all-time high, politics has been profoundly altered in Brazil. Economic rules are now more permanent, and economic advance more regular. A healthier and longer life is now available to a broader swath of the population, and there is opportunity for social advancement. In addition, its foreign policy has greater consequence internally as well as externally.Dilma's two immediate predecessors—Cardoso and Lula—are tough acts to follow. Their influence has been profound, and Brazil is now a very different nation than it was in the 1980s. But she is working from their template to move the country forward. This insightful book clearly explains how and why the country has progressed to its current standing and what the future portends. Starting Over is essential reading Explains How The Changes That Brazil Has Undergone Over The Last Twenty Years Have Transformed The Social, Political, Economic, And Diplomatic Realms In That Country And Will Affect Its Future, And Especially Influence The New Presidency Of Dilma Rousseff--provided By Publisher. Introduction -- Political Change -- Economic Growth Is The Priority -- Sustaining Social Progress -- Foreign Policy In A Changing World -- Evaluating The Past And Looking To The Future. Albert Fishlow. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Cover......Page 1 Front Flap......Page 2 Title Page......Page 5 Copyright Information......Page 6 Table of Contents......Page 9 Acknowledgments......Page 11 Introduction......Page 13 Political Change......Page 18 Economic Growth Is the Priority......Page 45 Sustaining Social Progress......Page 99 Foreign Policy in a Changing World......Page 152 Evaluating the Past and Looking to the Future......Page 198 Notes......Page 209 Index......Page 233 Back Flap......Page 250 Back Cover......Page 251 Introduction Political change Economic growth is the priority Sustaining social advance Foreign policy in a changing world Evaluating the past and looking to the future.