Summary

Anniversary – "Problemas Brasileiros" celebrates its fortieth anniversary, and on this special occasion this commemorative issue presents articles on the main changes taken place in the country during the period.

Politics – In 1963 when the magazine was founded Brazil faced a serious political crisis, as a result of the president Janio Quadros’ resignation, which happened in 1961. The situation of political instability was steadily worsening, and eventually the military seized power in a coup d’etat in 1964. And this dictatorial regime lasted about twenty-one years.
Today, at the beginning of 2003, the country faces a completely different situation. Now that we live in a truly democracy, comes into office the nation’s third freely elected president by popular vote since the end of the military rule in 1985. And he is inaugurated as president supported by a coalition of left-wing parties.

Economy – In these four decades the GDP has increased twenty times, and the average income has risen thirteen times. But, in spite of having its economic indicators improved, the nation still continues to show one of the worst income distributions in the whole world.

Social areas – In Brazil progress and serious social problems in many areas run parallel to each other. The health depends on massive investment on water and sanitation sectors, and mainly on the eradication of hunger. In education, an effective means of increasing the country’s possibilities of giving a leap in quality, we experience failures and problems. In the security area the violence indicators in the major cities are so bad that only can be compared to those of the countries fighting a civil war.

Environment – In environmental issues Brazil would be taken as an example for the rest of the world, due to its remarkable biodiversity. However, still today, the wrong environmental policies implemented by the government continue to act as a threat to the survival of a large number of different kinds of animals and plants.

Arts – In general every area in arts was deeply affected by the long-lasting dictatorial regime. Besides imposing strict censorship, this military government has forced the artists who in a peaceful way had been against the restriction on freedom to be sent into exile.

Sports – In sports the country has had its ups and downs. In 1963 the national football team had already won the Fifa World Cup two times, in 1958 and 1962. Today Brazil has also become the first nation to win the Fifa World Cup five times. The national women and men’s volleyball teams have got many world titles in the past few years. In Formula 1, Brazil has won the world championship eight times in this main class of car racing. As for Olympic sports, however, the country still has a long way to go, although it has won medals, principally in athletics and yachting.