Brazil

Brazil is the largest nation in South America and the 5th largest in the world by both population and geography. From 1500 until its independence in 1822 Brazil fell under the rule of Portugal. Brazil faced major changes as it outlawed slavery in 1888 and ended its history of monarchy in 1889. Dictatorship and democracy interchanged until 1965 as Brazil constantly faced domestic instability. In 1965 a military dictatorship took power. The brutal dictatorship ruled until 1985 and helped usher in new levels of prosperity. The restoration of democracy in 1985 brought stability and new economic plans. By 1994 the economy was rapidly growing and the middle class expanding. This expansion placed Brazil on the list of emerging global powers. Since 2010 the economy has faltered. Currently, Brazil is looking to stop this negative trend. Still, Brazil has expanded its global influence through aid and favorable international relations and looks to continue its global growth. 

Social

Overview: Over the past five years Brazil has faced small amounts of social unrest as protests inspired by others such as the Arab Spring have risen. These protests are largely ineffective as they do not have a distinct ideology or a succinct structure. While the economy has faced trouble in recent years, overall growth in the last half century has resulted in a rapid expansion of Brazil’s middle class. Still many women, black Brazilians, and indigenous Brazilians face tougher conditions. This has resulted in a high crime rate among this populace.

Demographics:

• Population: 204,000,000
• White: 47.7%
• Mulatto: 43.1%
• Black: 7.6%
• Asian: 1.1%
• Indigenous: .4% 
• Roman Catholic: 65%
• Protestant: 22%
• Spiritist: 2%
• None: 8%
• 0-14 years of age: 23.27%
• 15-24 years of age: 16.47%
• 25-54 years of age: 43.8%
• 55-64 years of age: 8.66%
• 65 years and older: 7.8% 
• (Numbers from CIA World Fact Book)

Trends: The birth rate in Brazil has steadily declined since the economic downturn in the 1980’s. Brazil has largely failed to produce skilled workers in the prior population boom, and by 2025 the demographics will largely shift to a majority elderly population. Brazil is hoping that a study abroad program will bring skilled workers back to the country and aid in economic recovery. 

Economic

Economic System: Brazil has a capitalist economy with some heavy state involvement in sectors such as oil and energy. Brazil’s economy ranks 8th largest in the world as of 2015.

Economic Trends: Brazil’s economy experienced rapid growth between 2002 and 2011. This growth spurred an increasingly large middle class and increased confidence on the world market. However, the recession hurt Brazil’s economy and it has been in steady decline since 2004. Still, Brazil looks to continue as one of the world’s top emerging markets and President Rouseff has appointed a new finance minister to implement a small austerity plan to revive Brazil’s economy.

Economic Resources: Coffee, soybeans, wheat rice, textiles, iron, machinery, steel. 

Political

Political System: Brazil is a federal republic with the president serving as both head of government and chief of state. The current president is Dilma Rousseff from the Workers Party. The legislative branch consists of a bicameral congress. The Federal Senate is composed of 81 seats with election for senators occurring every eight years. The Chamber of Deputies has 513 seats with elections held every four years. The Supreme Federal Court is the top court in the judicial branch. It consists of 11 judges appointed by the president until mandatory retirement at age 70. 

Political Groups: Brazilian politics are dominated by three to five major political parties depending on the election cycle. The number may shift due to oft changing loyalties and offset election season. Currently, the top represented parties in the Brazilian senate are as follows:

•  PMDB – Brazilian Democratic Movement Party
•  PT -  Workers Party
•  PSDB – Social Democratic Party
•  PDT – Democratic Labor Party
•  PSB -  Brazilian Socialist Party

Political Conflicts: Beginning in 2011 Brazil has experienced mass protests against the government beginning. Inspired by the Arab Spring the protests drew hundreds of thousands but lacked a clear ideology and were not successful in affecting change

Military & Intelligence

Overview: The Brazilian Armed Forces have a history of involvement in government. Military coups were abundant prior to 1965 and a military dictatorship ruled the nation until 1985. Recently, the armed forces have transitioned into a peacekeeping and stabilization force. No contested borders and a lack of external threats allow the military to aid in places such as Haiti. It also has embarked upon domestically targeted civic programs. 

Branches:

•  Brazilian Army (Largest branch)
•  Brazilian Navy (Includes marine corps and naval  aviation)
•  Brazilian Air Force

Reach: The Brazilian army is a power in Latin America and has a global reach primarily as a peacekeeping and advisory force.

Allies & Adversaries: Strong relations throughout the globe. No adversaries.

Information

​Freedom of the Press: Brazil’s strong constitution ensures freedom of expression. However, in some cases journalists are susceptible to harassment, lawsuits, and even physical injury. Harassment and physical injury are most common regarding municipal elections and municipal corruption. Lawsuits are especially prevalent for libel. In 2012, 4 journalists in Brazil were murdered. These were primarily journalists covering municipal level politics and corruption. There has been some judicial censorship regarding municipal elections on both the Internet and traditional media outlets. Judges have prevented the release of both poll numbers and other election coverage. Despite its problems at the municipal level, Brazil remains a good country for freedom of the press. 

Media Institutions: Brazil has thousands of media institutions. It has thousands of radio stations, hundreds of television channels, and a number of major newspapers. Internet access is rapidly increasing. Still, the fact that ownership of media outlets is concentrated, politicians have ties to media outlets, and the reliance of many on government funding hurts the overall diversity of reporting.

Infrastructure

Roads: Brazil has a huge road network that is well kept in the East and South. In other areas and outside major metropolitan centers the roads may be gravel and an off-road vehicle is recommended.
Railways: Not reliable, mostly destroyed during the military dictatorship.
Maritime (Rivers, Lakes): Extensive waterways, but many are in remote areas away from populaces. May use in the amazon and along the coast. 
Power: Reliable with both 110 volts and 220 volts throughout the country. Occasional blackouts may occur.
Internet: As of 2012 about 50% of the country had access to the internet. This number is likely to keep expanding rapidly.
Phone: Advanced phone infrastructure and generally reliable.

Analysis: Country Trajectory
Promising. Although Brazil is currently suffering from a struggling economy, it is still projected to be one of the emerging world powers. Its lack of enemies endows the nation with the capabilities to provide aid and peacekeeping to various nations around the world. If the stagnated economy is turned around the nation will steadily increase its standing in the global power matrix.