U.S. Power and the Social State in Brazil: Legal Modernization in the Global South

The book analyzes the elite-led efforts to transform the Brazilian legal order in the period between 1930–1975 and how U.S. Power played a major role in such a process. It also discusses the Brazilian institutional development in the period and how liberalism was blamed for the Crisis of Civilization. The book offers a genealogy of the jurisprudential and institutional struggles to correct the culture of laissez-faire and provides a rigorous and fresh look at the development of liberalism in the country.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 214 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book delves into a comprehensive analysis of the elite-driven efforts to reshape the Brazilian legal order during the period spanning from 1930 to 1975, with a significant focus on the influential role played by U.S. power in this transformative process. In addition to examining the global circulation of ideas, the book also explores the intricate development of Brazilian institutions during this time.

A profound Crisis of Civilization characterized the early decades of the century, marked by the rapid expansion of cities and industries, accompanied by the influx of immigrants and former slaves, which were perceived by some Brazilian elites as a threat to the country's traditions. These elites attributed the Crisis to liberalism and sought to rectify it through a series of jurisprudential and institutional struggles.

This book, based on a decade of extensive research, centers Brazilian history around the concept of liberalism and provides a genealogical account of the battles waged to correct the culture of laissez-faire. By utilizing archival sources, the book demonstrates the direct influence of U.S. thought and development on Brazilian thought and development. It offers a novel interpretation of major political processes and rewrites the history of legal ideas in the 20th century.

Spanning five decades of history, this book adopts a transnational approach, highlighting the hegemonic role played by the U.S. in Brazil. It will appeal to scholars and students of law, U.S. foreign policy, area studies, and international relations, as it offers a rigorous and fresh perspective on the development of liberalism in the country.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367643188