The Political Economy of an Emerging Global Power : In Search of the Brazil Dream

Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. To my dear husband, Soumitra Dutta, and my dear daughter, Sara Dutta. Their love and support have made my life complete. To my beloved wife, Cecilia, who made me discover Latin America. This book discusses whether Brazil's rise on the global stage is barely beginning, or whether it has already hit a plateau, held back by numerous domestic challenges and the external constraints of the global governance system. The work shows that Brazil's hard power capability is greater than it is often believed, that this power largely rests on its energy, food and financial reserves. But Brazil's biggest strength lies in soft power as Brazil is able to 'seduce' other states with its culture, values and policies. "The Political Economy of an Emerging Global Power" describes how Brazil is developing its own model of growth and development with some features of state capitalism and innovative forms of welfare. The authors examine the role played by the state in the Brazilian business and industry sector and ask whether the 'Brazilian model' can be an alternative to the old 'Washington Consensus'. Finally, they assess the country's numerous domestic challenges and how these may prevent it from becoming an effective global power. These challenges are found in the economic and social areas as well as in the educational area (site de l'éditeur) Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 8 List of Figures and Tables 9 Preface 11 Acknowledgments 12 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations 14 Introduction: Brazil at a Crossroads 18 Part I: A Champion of Soft Power 26 1 A Friendly Giant 28 2 The Brasília Consensus: Still a Valid Model? 43 Part II: A Hard Power Nation in the Making 60 3 Brazil’s Economic Power 62 4 Brazilian Companies Going Global 85 Part III: What Will Propel Brazil Forward? 108 5 Strengthening Brazil’s Competitiveness 110 6 Sustaining Social Innovation 125 7 In Search of a Role on the Global Stage 142 8 Looking for Answers 161 Conclusion: Building the Brazil Dream 177 Notes 183 Bibliography 196 Index 205 Front Matter....Pages i-xvi Introduction: Brazil at a Crossroads....Pages 1-8 Front Matter....Pages 9-9 A Friendly Giant....Pages 11-25 The Brasília Consensus: Still a Valid Model?....Pages 26-42 Front Matter....Pages 43-43 Brazil’s Economic Power....Pages 45-67 Brazilian Companies Going Global....Pages 68-90 Front Matter....Pages 91-91 Strengthening Brazil’s Competitiveness....Pages 93-107 Sustaining Social Innovation....Pages 108-124 In Search of a Role on the Global Stage....Pages 125-143 Looking for Answers....Pages 144-159 Conclusion: Building the Brazil Dream....Pages 160-165 Back Matter....Pages 166-202 Is Brazil ready to take its place among the world's leading powers? The authors examine Brazil's hard power and soft power resources, assessing the challenges the country will need to overcome in order to build its own "Brazilian dream" and project itself on the international stage.