Modern Brazil: A Very Short Introduction

Brazil is a country of contrasts, praised for its natural beauty and culture but also facing significant challenges such as corruption, inequality, and violence. This Very Short Introduction provides an overview of modern Brazil's history, including its rise as a global power, the suppression of dictatorship, and the ongoing economic, political, and social issues it faces.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 24 September 2020
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Brazil, a vibrant and captivating country, is often associated with conviviality, sensuality, and natural beauty. However, beneath these surface impressions lies a complex and enigmatic nation. It is a country that has been both praised as a rising power ready to take its place at the top tables of global governance and criticized as a perennial disappointment, forever failing to reach its potential, mired in corruption, inequality, poverty, and violence. These oscillations between euphoria and despair obscure a country with its own unique trajectory through the 20th and 21st centuries.

In this Very Short Introduction, Anthony Pereira offers an account of modern Brazil that explores some of the major features of the country's transformation. The book delves into the rise of the modern state in the mid-20th century, the violent repression of dictatorship, the domestic economic, political, and social challenges faced by Brazil today, and the role it plays in addressing some of the most pressing global problems.

Pereira highlights several peculiar features of Brazil's development, including the tendency of its political leaders to engage in complicated, informal political deals; the state's welfare institutions that often exacerbate rather than improve the country's deep economic inequalities; and Brazil's long history of peaceful relations with its neighbors despite a high level of state violence against citizens.

The book also provides a brief historical overview of Brazil, tracing its origins from the indigenous tribes to the colonial era and the subsequent struggle for independence. It explores the country's diverse cultural heritage, including its vibrant music, literature, and cuisine, and its role in shaping global popular culture.

Overall, this Very Short Introduction offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to modern Brazil, providing readers with a deeper understanding of this fascinating and complex nation. Whether you are interested in Brazil's history, culture, politics, or its role in the global arena, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of this vibrant and dynamic country.

Weight: 134g
Dimension: 174 x 112 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198812081