South American Colossus: The History and Economy of Modern Brazil

Catalog description

This course provides a broad inter-disciplinary overview of the modern history and economic evolution of Brazil. Major periods in Brazil’s history will be analyzed, along with its economic structure and the role it plays in the contemporary global economy. The fields of History and Economics will provide a framework of analysis. Brazil’s modern history, beginning with the birth of the Republic in 1889, will be followed to the rise of post-2000 nationalist populist governments; in particular that of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Themes explored include the country’s strong regionalism, the cultural and social impact of its large African descended population and the very late abolition of slavery, changing gender relations after 1920, the rise of Getulio Vargas’ authoritarianism and the latter’s contributions to economic development in the 1930-54 period, the failed Left-populist era of 1954-64, the impact of harsh military rule (1864-88), the 1988 return to democracy, and the country’s recent rise as a regional and world economic power. Economic analysis will focus on Brazil’s remarkable evolution from a classically export-oriented underdeveloped economy to an integrated powerhouse which includes large manufacturing and petroleum exporting sectors. Enhancing classroom study will be a travel segment to Brazil, which will explore historical, cultural and economic themes.