Brazil

GOVT 122: Comparative Politics
Sweet Briar College
Instructor: Dr. Andrew Clem
For use of enrolled SBC students ONLY.

Years	Leader(s)
1950-	Vargas
1955-	Kubitschek
1960-	Goulart
1965-	Castello Branco, Costa e Silva
1970-	Medici
1975-	Geisel
1980-	Figuereido
1985-	Sarney
1990-	Collor de Mello, Franco
1995-	Cardoso
2000-	Cardoso, da Silva
2005-	da Silva
Years indicated above are approximate. For more detail, see the Foreign Leaders page, with a year-by-year chronology.

Basic facts:
Political system:	Presidential republic
National leader:	Pres. "Lula" da Silva (2003-)
Structure:	Federal, 27 states
Regime founded:	1988 Constitution
Democracy:	Semi-established
Population:	164 million
Per capita GDP:	$8,800
Distinctive features: Portuguese language & culture; open & relaxed. Catholic, influenced by African folk religions. Agribusiness & destruction of Amazon rain forest. National pride and ambition, with fatalism. Uneven development: Industrialization, yet poverty persists.

To see a continental-scale map, roll the mouse over the map above.
Click on it to see a key that explains the map symbols.

Name	Workers Party (PT)	Others	Braz. Democ. Movement (PMDB)	Braz. Social Democ. Party	Progressive Party	Liberal Front
Seats*:	91	133	74	71	49	84

NOTES: * Seats in lower house.
SOURCES: Mark Kessleman, et al., Introduction to Comparative Politics; CIA World Factbook, various newspapers.