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AN INTRODUCTION TO BRAZIL by Charles Eagley

AN INTRODUCTION TO BRAZIL

By

Pub Date: Oct. 28th, 1963
Publisher: Columbia University Press

You had better take us seriously, for we are certainly at present the most Important South American nation and what we intend to do in our ambivalent and contradictory fashion is to become far more important."" North Americans, generally indifferent and ignorant about South Americans, should listen to this challenge. This ""most Catholic"" nation of 70 million is a land of many contrasts yet striking unity. It is multiracial and classes are sharply defined-- the poor and illiterate, the rich and educated, with the emergent middle class aspiring to the aristocratic values of the last century. In spite of its claims, Brazil is not a social democracy. The modern Brazilian is urban-oriented, likes the movimento and ""progress"" in spite of an appalling lag in public services. He seems unable to cope with the rapid expansion of population and inflation. And he has a growing national bride. But as a nation Brazil seeks independence in foreign policy with ""no strings economic aid"".... This is a well organized, up-to-date study about a crucial areas and Mr. Wagley has lived in Brazil for half of the last twenty years and is Columbia University's Director of the Institute for Latin American Studies.