From Inside Brazil: Development in a Land of Contrasts

Customers in the US and Canada please order from Stanford University Press at (800) 621-2736 or visit their website at www.sup.org. Fifth in population and geographical size and fourteenth in total income, Brazil is not only a regional, but also potentially a global force. Will Brazil capitalize on its huge strengths and emerge as a true global leader, or will it miss out on its great opportunity? This book lays out the crucial dimensions of Brazil's development prospects and considers both conventional and unconventional ways forward. 'From Inside Brazil' lays out a number of messages of interest to Brazilian and international audiences. First, improving equity across the population is not only essential for social progress, but also key to achieving higher economic growth. Second, growth can be sparked by strong improvements in productivity, especially the productivity of the large percentage of people that are excluded from the production process. Third, investing in natural resources too is essential for supporting growth that is more inclusive of the poorer segments of the population, as these resources represent a large part of the assets of the poor. Fourth, this socio-economic agenda will get a large boost if political reform were carried out with urgency.

Brazil faces important issues as to whether and how socio-economic and political reforms will be pursued with urgency and persistence. This book presents a strong agenda and action plan to achieve for Brazil both economic growth and improved welfare for its citizens. The book begins by examining the existing welfare system, including the differences between that of people in rural areas and those in cities. It goes on to examine issues related to productivity, looking at whether investments in physical, natural, and human capital affect performance; to sustainability of the country’s growth and development; to its use and conservation of natural resources; and to the structure and effectiveness of its institutions. Finally, it compares and contrasts the priorities of these agendas, coming up with both quantitative and qualitative targets that can guide those setting down Brazilian policy.