Economic Development of Brazil - Essay Example

Brazil is regarded as the front runner of developing countries. By some, it's considered a country that has experienced growth with its development lagging behind. An upper-middle income country, Brazil has the greatest degree of economic inequality among other countries with the comparable income. This inequality, if left uncorrected, is a possible threat to future progress. Other threats to development include it's indebtedness to other countries and infrastructure problems. Another area that is preventing development is Brazil's lack of advancement in technology.

The transfer of technology is essential for faster growth and it will also enable them to compete at an international level which will also stimulate growth. Social divisions are also inhibiting growth. Child labor is a huge problem with as many as seven million children in the workforce. As far as education, the rate of adult literacy stands at eighty-five percent. Discrimination is also a problem. The majority of Brazil's population is black, second only to Nigeria. Despite the fact the discrimination is a crime, it isn't enforced.

Still, some progress has been made. The government's lack of equal social spending is the foremost factor in Brazil's inability to rise above inequality and poverty. Inequality and the distribution of land are considered the primary reasons for extreme poverty in the country. Although the Brazilian government implemented a program for land reform, the results have been modest at best. The inequality in the distribution of land is mainly due to the political influence of large plantation owners.

The land that is available to farmers is often unsuitable to farmers do due to environmental conflicts. There has, however, been some progress economically and socially. Brazil is at the forefront of agricultural research and they have expanded their exportation of crops. They have experienced growth in the software industry. The government does have one program in place that is making somewhat of a difference. The Bolsa Familia Program provides income to poverty stricken families whose children stay in school.

The hope is that education will leader to more employable adults and higher earnings which will eventually help to curb poverty in the country. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was re-elected in 2006. He promised growth and more policies addressing poverty and he did deliver. Although the results were modest they gave hope to the Brazilian people. One definition of development cites a transformation of society from a traditional way of thinking to a more modern way of thinking. Another definition cites development of education, health systems, and technology in less developed countries.

Brazil has recognized its need for development in certain areas and has made some advancement in addressing its societal inequalities and poverty. One example of advancement of societal development which addressed education and poverty is the Bolsa Familia Program. It does, however, only answer the definitions in part. Although Brazil is not a developed country because it hasn't advanced in some areas such as technology, it is developing. Other developing countries can learn valuable lessons from Brazil.

Those lessons are that patience and perseverance do pay off and that advancement, however small it may seem, is still a step in the right direction. Despite the fact that Brazil is not a developed country it's still considered the leader in developing countries. Other countries can also learn the importance that the lives of its citizens play in development of a country. When a country listens to and addresses the needs of its people, it is then that the country begins to make sustainable development.

Sustainable development is defined as addressing the issues of the present generation without threatening future generations. Again, this is demonstrated in the social programs implemented by the Brazilian government such as the Land Reform Program and the Bola Familia Program. Brazil can learn much from other countries, even less developed countries. In countries that can't afford information and communications technology, they have used media technology to address the needs of their people.

A Mexican television producer named Miguel Sabida, developed thematic soap operas that addressed such issues as adult literacy, family planning, sex education and women's equality. Works CitedNetTel. "The Meaning of Development, Sustainable Development and Rural Development." 3 February 2004. Macro Environment and Telecommunications. 20 January 2009 .