Understanding contemporary Brazil
Understanding Contemporary Brazil
Jeff Garmany and Anthony W. Pereira
Routledge, London, 2018, ISBN 9781138039339
Brazil has famously been called a country of contradictions. It is a place where narratives of "racial democracy" exist in the face of stark inequalities, and where the natural environment is celebrated as a point of national pride, but at the same time is exploited at alarming rates. To people on the outside looking in, these contradictions seem hard to explain. Understanding Contemporary Brazil tackles these problems head-on, providing the perfect critical introduction to Brazil's ongoing social, political, economic, and cultural complexities.
Key topics include:
- National identity and political structure.
- Economic development, environmental contexts, and social policy.
- Urban issues and public security.
- Debates over culture, race, gender, and spirituality.
- Social inequality, protest, and social movements.
- Foreign diplomacy and international engagement.
By considering more broadly the historical, political economic, and socio-cultural roots of Brazil's internal dynamics, this interdisciplinary book equips readers with the contextual understanding and critical insight necessary to explore this fascinating country. Written by renowned authors at one of the world's most important centers for the study of Brazil, Understanding Contemporary Brazil is ideal for university students and researchers, yet also accessible to any reader.
Introduction 1
National identity and nation building 12
Political structure and government 33
Economic development and social policy 58
Race and ethnicity in Brazil 84
Urban Brazil today 101
Social movements and protest in Brazil 121
Environmental contexts and challenges 143
Culture and spirituality 163
Foreign policy and international diplomacy 185
Soccer in Brazil 208
Afterword 227
Index 231