Developmental Challenges and Opportunities of Brazil in the 21St Century
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University of Central Florida STARS HIM 1990-2015 2015 Developmental Challenges and Opportunities of Brazil in the 21st Century Henrique Ruda Vianna Ribeiro University of Central Florida Part of the Political Science Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015 University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in HIM 1990-2015 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Recommended Citation Ribeiro, Henrique Ruda Vianna, "Developmental Challenges and Opportunities of Brazil in the 21st Century" (2015). HIM 1990-2015. 1881. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/1881 DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF BRAZIL IN THE 21ST CENTURY by HENRIQUE RUDÁ VIANNA RIBEIRO A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Honors in the Major Program in Political Sciences in the College of Sciences and in The Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Fall Term 2015 Thesis Chair: Dr. Houman Sadri ABSTRACT As Brazil develops into the first South American world power many changes in its society, economy and political system are necessary for a successful transformation. Nevertheless this is no easy task as the country battles corruption, vast inequality and a severe problem with freedom of information within the media. For decades the Brazilian mainstream media has been controlled by elite political forces together with elite families influencing and controlling many factors that are responsible for social, economic and political development. As new developments and implementations in the last fifteen years have been ongoing within Brazil, such as welfare programs, social reforms, hosting of international sporting events and the emergence and popularity of social networking technology, millions within the Brazilian Nation have been able to ascend out of poverty and into a new era of diversity of information, political participation and greater awareness of the problems within their own society. The time has finally come of when the Brazilian people have the ability to react and mobilize against the forces and factors that for decades have perpetuated several unfavorable conditions within Brazil. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who have guided me and supported me in this work. Thank you Dr. Sadri, for providing me with your continuous mentorship in my education. I would also like to thank Dr. Farcau and Dr. Pineda for their caring gestures in guiding me through my thesis development. Many individuals have assisted me in making this thesis possible, from the countless conversations with citizens from Brazil and the family and friends that have accommodated me during my trips. My parents have also been of great help and support during this insightful journey. I am truly grateful for you all. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE- INTRODUCTION............................................................................................. 1 Thesis .......................................................................................................................................... 1 Hypothesis ............................................................................................................................... 1 Variables .................................................................................................................................. 2 Relationship ............................................................................................................................. 2 Significance ................................................................................................................................. 3 Theoretical Importance ............................................................................................................ 3 Policy Importance .................................................................................................................... 4 Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 4 1964-1985 ................................................................................................................................ 5 1990-2002 ................................................................................................................................ 7 2003- 2015 ............................................................................................................................... 9 My Research .............................................................................................................................. 15 Gaps in Existing Literature .................................................................................................... 15 Convincing the Masses .......................................................................................................... 16 Focus of Studies..................................................................................................................... 17 Social Media Importance ....................................................................................................... 17 Research Design ........................................................................................................................ 18 iv Development within Domestic Sphere- Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow .......................... 19 Factors Shaping Foreign Policy and National Development ................................................. 20 World Cup and the Olympics ................................................................................................ 21 CHAPTER 2: DEVELOPMENT WITHIN DOMESTIC SPHERE- YESTERDAT, TODAY AND TOMORROW ..................................................................................................................... 24 Media and Domestic Development ........................................................................................... 24 Globos Involvement In The Pivot Towards Democracy ....................................................... 27 Social Aspects of Development :Public Opinion ...................................................................... 30 Social Welfare Program ......................................................................................................... 35 Economic Factors and Public Opinion of Bolsa Familia .......................................................... 39 Politics of Bolsa Familia Program ............................................................................................ 41 CHAPTER 3: FACTORS SHAPING FOREIGN POLICY AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................................................................................... 50 Social Development as a Foreign Policy................................................................................... 51 Education ............................................................................................................................... 52 Public Opinion Towards Brazilian International Capabilities ............................................... 55 Economy Factors Within the Brazilian Economy ..................................................................... 58 Natural Resources .................................................................................................................. 59 BRICS .................................................................................................................................... 62 v BRICS for The Developing South ......................................................................................... 64 Field Research on Public Perception of Economy ................................................................ 66 Development of Foreign Policy and Domestic Politics ............................................................ 69 Non-Alignment ...................................................................................................................... 72 Responsible Governance ....................................................................................................... 73 Political Development Through Political Scandals, .............................................................. 77 Political Scandal Number One: ”Mensalão” ......................................................................... 79 Political Scandal Number Two: Lava Jato ............................................................................ 80 How Lava Jato Worked ......................................................................................................... 82 Aftermath of Lava Jato .......................................................................................................... 83 Globo's Influence on the Public Opinion of Lava Jato .......................................................... 84 CHAPTER 4 WORLD CUP PROTESTS AND SOCIAL MEDIA ............................................. 88 Social Aspects and The World Cup .......................................................................................... 90 Healthcare System ................................................................................................................. 91 Education System .................................................................................................................