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Brazil's Emerging Left
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# : |
16295 |
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Section : |
CURRENT ISSUES
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| Issue
Date : |
3 / 1989 |
2,521 Words |
| Author
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Michael Wilson
Michael Wilson is a policy analyst in Latin American affairs
at the Heritage Foundation. He was a longtime resident of
Brazil. |
On October 5, 1988, following 21 months of fierce debate and rigorous political analysis, Brazil's eighth constitution was ratified, continuing the leftward drift of Brazil's political, economic, and social affairs. If the existing constitution was unsatisfactory, this latest version, with its statist, nationalist, and populist orientations, certainly provides equal cause for controversy and criticism.
It was not, however, until the results of last November's municipal elections were in that the sheer magnitude of Brazil's radical political metamorphosis became readily apparent. With the clear rejection of President Jose Sarney's conservative Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB) came a somewhat stunning turn toward center-left, socialist, and communist-oriented parties. Consequently, Brazil now faces a year of deep political uncertainty, likely social turmoil, and a polarized, left-leaning populace desperately seeking answers and solutions that nobody seems to have.
Brazil is second only to Mexico among the nations in the Americas of strategic importance to Washington. Despite its extraordinary problems, Brazil's expanding economic, diplomatic, and military capabilities continue to surpass those of all its neighbors. Over the past two decades, it has developed into Latin America's most "global" power. This has been accomplished by demonstrating an assertive role in international diplomacy, taking the lead on the debt issue, establishing a significant presence in the international arms market, and transforming itself into the world's ninth-largest economy. Because of these factors, it is imperative that a stable, long-term vision of diplomatic, economic, and strategic relations be established between Washington and Brasilia.
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