Starting Over: Brazil Since 1985

by Albert Fishlow

" 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"

Genres: Brazil, Economics, Nonfiction, Politics, History

236 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2011

Reviews

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though Eastern Europe and its dramatic change from a collection of oppressed Soviet satellites to (slowly) democratizing nations got much of the attention at the end of the Cold War, Latin America has also had a dramatic switch from authoritarianism to democratization. And no country has had as much success, or a rockier road to the present, than Brazil. With its opening of elections in 1985, Brazil has been growing stronger democratically and economically. This book examines Brazil since then by covering the history of key topics such as Brazil's democracy, economy, and foreign policy. It is an interesting and eye-opening book and one that may dispel many myths that one may have about the land of barely-clothed beaches and crazy Mardi Gras celebrations. It can get a really policy wonky at times, particularly in the chapter examining Brazil's social programs. While this may not be the book on Brazil for everyone, those of with a political science bent who want to know more about this country would do well to pick this book up.