Over the last few years, Brazil has emerged as a significant South American power. However, the country continues to experience economic, societal, and political problems that negatively impact its successful transformation. Brazil faces numerous developmental challenges that have adversely affected its potential to become a powerhouse in South America. The main issues faced by the country include unsatisfactory business climate, poor infrastructure, low productivity, gender discrimination, and lack of media freedom. Understanding the nature and origin of these problems relies significantly on three primary theoretical lenses that include the institutionalist, structural, and cultural perspectives. The three theoretical perspectives will shed light on the socio-economic issues facing Brazil and the potential policy solution.
Developmental Challenges in Brazil
Brazil is still considered a developing country. One of the main reasons that have negatively affected its progress is the presence of an unsatisfactory business climate. The poor business climate has significantly affected the country’s productivity and ability to compete (Ribeiro, 2015). A report compiled by the World Bank in 2017, dubbed the “Doing Business” established that Brazil ranks 123 rd out of 137 countries. Other than the unfavorable business environment, the country also faces the challenge of the quality of infrastructure. Research by the World Economic Forum (2015) ranked Brazil at position 123 out of 140 in terms of infrastructure quality. The study looked at key infrastructural aspects such as roads, railroads, and port infrastructure (Cavusgil & Kardes, 2013). Thirdly, Brazil also faces immense productivity issues that are a culmination of a wide array of issues. Among the causes of low productivity include poor infrastructure and the cost of doing business in the country. Besides the economic issues, Brazil has also been a victim of sociocultural issues such as gender discrimination. The country is highly patriarchal, and women, therefore, face immense discrimination. Instances of gender-based violence are also prevalent in Brazil (Besse, 2018). Lastly, media independence in the country remains a far-distant reality. The media is controlled by the state and therefore lacks any meaningfulness as far as checking the accountability of the government is concerned.
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Causes of the Problem
The three theoretical perspectives that will be used to assess these issues include the institutionalist, structural, and cultural perspectives. The institutionalist perspective draws its strength from the arrangement of social structure. It assesses the way norms, rules, schemes, and routines develop into authoritative guidelines that can influence social behavior (Lewis, 2013). On its part, the structural perspective sees as a society as a complex system that is made of interdependent parts. The interdependent parts work together to ensure that solidarity and stability remain a reality. Thirdly, the cultural perspective focuses on a situation where individuals visualize phenomena based on their underlying values, beliefs, and experiences. Culture primarily differs from one person to another. The three theoretical perspectives can be used to explain the development challenges faced by Brazil.
Regarding the issue of an unfavorable business environment, the institutional perspective can provide critical insights into the problem. According to the theory, success can only be achieved in situations where norms, rules, and guidelines determine social behavior. A country requires strong institutional policies and arrangements that can influence positive outcomes. Brazil, for instance, has an unfavorable business climate due to poor institutional policies and guidelines (Lewis, 2013). The government has done little to create a competitive environment that attracts local and international investment. The deteriorated quality of infrastructure in the country can also be assessed from the same lenses of institutionalism. The government has failed to leverage its institutions to manage resources and operations geared towards infrastructural development. Issues such as corruption and embezzlement of funds are broader institutional issues that affect Brazil.
Brazil also faces immense productivity issues that can be explained through the structural perspective. As previously indicated, the country's low productivity is due to poor infrastructure and the cost of doing business (Cavusgil & Kardes, 2013). The structural perspective asserts that issues in society occur interdependently. The cause-effect relationship explains the interrelationship between phenomena. The inefficiencies experienced in productivity are as a result of other interrelated factors within society and government. Gender discrimination can be explained from a cultural perspective. Culture can generally be defined as a system of beliefs, attitudes, and perspectives that affects how individuals behave and interact in society. Brazil is a highly patriarchal society that believes in gender roles. Women are often underrepresented in economic endeavors with their place designated at home (Besse, 2018). The continuous downplaying of women is a cultural issue that has further contributed to gender-based violence and femicide.
The lack of media remains another significant developmental challenge that affects the country. An independent press remains one of the most vital aspects of a progressive country (Cavusgil & Kardes, 2013). Nations such as the United States that boast of strong democratic ideals and economic development have a fully functioning media that holds the government accountable. The lack of media freedom in Brazil can, therefore, be looked at from an institutionalist perspective. The media itself is an institution that ought to operate with its norms, values, and guidelines. However, the government has invaded its space, thereby limiting its freedom. The result is a weakened press that acts as a surrogate and an accomplice of the government in committing ills.
Policy Solutions
The first area of policy should focus on the integration of the Brazilian economy with the rest of the world. Brazil has generally been described as a closed economy when compared with other nations of its stature. The country must begin the process of integration that will require it to open its borders by relaxing its tariff and non-tariff barriers. Integration adheres to the tenets of a structural perspective, which emphasizes interconnectedness. Brazil will be integrating itself with the rest of the world, thereby occupying a fundamental position in the global structure (Lewis, 2013). Secondly, the country must adopt a strong economic policy that focuses on improving infrastructure and creating a competitive environment that promotes investment. Quality infrastructure, coupled with a favorable business environment, can provide the required background for economic revival (Ribeiro, 2015). The policy solution follows the institutionalist perspective. The government will be required to create strong institutions backed with guidelines, norms, and rules that control operations. The third area of policy will focus on the aspect of gender equality. Brazil must realize that the success of a country depends on its level of equality. Women should be given ample opportunities to explore their talents and abilities (Besse, 2018). Using the cultural perspective, policymakers and the people, in general, will be required to change their mentality and abandon the retrogressive beliefs.
Conclusion
Brazil remains to be a country with immense potential in the South American region. However, several factors continue to hold it back, including unsatisfactory business climate, poor infrastructure, low productivity, gender discrimination, and lack of media freedom. The institutionalist perspective emphasizes that Brazil must create strong institutions and guidelines that guide its economic well-being. The structural lens advocates for the integration of the system and the placement of the country at the helm of global geopolitics. The cultural perspective focuses on a change of mentality and the overall abandonment of retrogressive cultures, such as those that promote inequality. The three theories will assist Brazil to reclaim its lost glory.
References
Besse, S. K. (2018). Restructuring patriarchy: the modernization of gender inequality in Brazil, 1914-1940. UNC Press Books.
Cavusgil, S. T., & Kardes, I. (2013). Brazil: rapid development, internationalization, and middle-class formation. Internet, 8(1), 1-16.
Lewis, W. A. (2013). Theory of economic growth. Routledge.
Ribeiro, H. R. V. (2015). Developmental Challenges and Opportunities of Brazil in the 21st Century. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Developmental-Challenges-and-Opportunities-of-in-Ribeiro/39f0184eed691c346a3aab37fa7ecae0f341a1c9
World Bank. 2017. Doing Business 2017: Equal Opportunity for All. Fourteenth edition. Washington, DC: World Bank.
