Brazil Case Study

Ma. Melanie Alyssa P. Mabalot

ECONDEV

A1C What critical issues are raised from the examination of development problems and prospects facing Brazil? How do you compare the Philippines with this country in terms of the issues raised? Brazil, being the largest and most populous country in Latin America, they have been also experiencing some struggle with regard to the overall development of their country. Brazil has been noted to be a country that experiences “growth without development” as they have experienced an imbalanced rate of development in their country because of the issues that related to their economic and social progress. First, is with regards to Brazil’s income where their per capita income was $11,000, under a quarter from the per capita income of USA but still nine times greater to Haiti (World Bank). Additionally, the bottom 60% of Brazil’s population also experiences inequality with regards to their share of income in the country as they only share 0.8% income generated in Brazil. This hinders development as this lessens the consumption power of that marginalized sector. With regards to their growth, they are also a highly indebted country because of their infrastructures which prevents them to have more significant growth. Moreover, the most crucial issue that causes development problems to Brazil is because of the social indicators. Brazil experiences a low human development index, indicating that the individual capabilities of those who live in Brazil are eight positions lower than what it should be based on their incomes. Life expectancy and malnutrition are also some issues that hinder them to have a higher rate of development. Child labor is also a prominent issue although there already has been a movement to eliminate this problem. Furthermore, they also struggle with extreme poverty, having 15% of their population to experience absolute poverty with only less than $1 income per day. However, fortunately, the Brazilian government program of “conditional cash transfers” which provides resources to those families with the condition of having their children to stay at school was implemented, causing the poverty rate of their country to fall. Correspondingly, the agriculture of Brazil was historically one of the primary bases of their economy, thus, having land reforms blocked for the benefit of the farmers also impedes the development of Brazil. Lastly, the black population in Brazil also experience racial discrimination although having the majority of the population black. The representation of people with color in the government industry, in the working force, and other sectors are usually being discriminated. Thus, having more white workers in their country although they are a country with more black people.

With these facts, it can be deducted that Brazil faces more social issues rather than those issues that are connected to economic growth. Thus, it can be said that Brazil has “economic growth without much social development” (Todaro and Smith, 2015) rather than blatantly saying that Brazil has a growth without development. Hence, it can be presumed that Brazil should focus more on solving its social issues first to have a faster rate of development within their country. Moreover, some of the issues that were experienced by Brazil was also experienced by the Philippines. If you compare it, the critical issues that affect or make their development stagnant are also similar to the issues that make the Philippines’ development torpid. First on the list is the poverty where 26.3% of the population (as of 2015) is in the poverty threshold. The income share of the marginalized sector is also small, leaving them minimal income to consume everyday. Racial discrimination here in the Philippines cannot also be ignored as those people of color are often prejudiced to do bad things and being not capable of doing the work of those who have more even complexion. Moreover, Philippines also experiences having a large debt in the world back due to the planned infrastructures that are long planned but sluggishly implemented. Based on some articles, it is even said that every Filipino, a child, adult, or the elderly, owes the World Bank P42,819.42 (as of 2015). With these being said, it seems like the Philippines have more issues related to the economy instead of social issues. Thus, we have to improve our economic indicators along with other factors such as social, political, or cultural factors to have an overall development in our country.