Political ideologies in Brazil - Essay Example

Political ideologies in Brazil Regardless of the mode of administration, no country is completely devoid of politics. Even in the cases of monarchy, politics still have a place in such societies. Political ideologies play a crucial role in the shaping of a country’s major sectors particularly the economy. In Brazil, it is no exception, and political ideologies have been instrumental in shaping many areas. As is the norm elsewhere, politics often divide people on ideological boundaries, not necessarily racial or educational background.

In this response paper, the aim is to highlight the political ideologies that seemingly dominate Brazil. Brazil has become an important country not only in the Latin America but also in the world. In the Latin America, Brazil’s economy is the largest, and it is placed eighth worldwide by the nominal GDP. Additionally, it is currently positioned seventh in the world as per purchasing power parity. As of 2012, the country’s economy growth rate was 5%, and it surpassed United Kingdom’s though there has been a deceleration since (Kiernan, p.5). In light of these, the country’s politics tend to focus mainly on the management and improvement of the economy.

To do so, two factions hold different views on the precise methods to improve the country’s economy. While one political group argues that only internationalism would remedy the country’s economic crisis, another vehemently opposes the notion. A statist nationalist is a political group whose ideology is that the government ought to control some areas that crucial to the economy (Almond, p. 45). Using the term, ‘interventionism’, and this political ideology holds the view that only an inward-oriented economy would improve the country’s economic and overall state.

Some of the steps proposed by the group is that foreign policies ought to focus what will benefit the country first. The importance of interventionism, it is argued, is that the state corrects market failures while promoting general welfare (Maček & Ovin p.5). Conversely, the liberal internationalism frowns at the above suggestion and stands opposed to the same with amazing fervency. This group argues that the only way Brazil’s economy would improve is through embracing internationalism. By internationalism, the group implies that the country has to work with other nations that could help its economy ambitions.

Further, the group opposes the issue of sanctions of other countries terming it as a detriment to Brazil’s economic goals (Maček & Ovin p.8). It is the ideologies that tend to divide many people in the Brazil politics. These ideologies continue in the Brazil political arena mainly because the country’s major issue lies in its economy. For instance, the unemployment rate in the country continues to rise, and this keeps necessitating these political ideologies as every side strive to defend their positions.

A case in point entails the latest unemployment rate where it stands at 7.5% from the previous 6.9% in six major cities. Similarly, poverty continues to play a role the political ideologies where 21.4% of the population lives below the poverty line. A further 4.2% of the people have been found to live in abject poverty. Inevitably, the inflation rate follows suit with figures showing a 9.56% rate in August 2015 (Kiernan, p.2; BBC, p.3). Because of the issues that concern the ordinary citizens, these political ideologies continue in Brazil.

In conclusion, the two political ideologies dominating Brazil is about the right approach to economic stability. Interventionists argue that it is imperative for the state to intervene in some sectors to ensure the economy thrives. Additionally, this step would help in correcting economic failures. In contrast, the internationalists hold a differing opinion. It is through globalization that Brazil’s economy and other related issues would be solved. Either way, these political ideologies continue because both sides feel they represent the people, and that the economy is crucial to changing the citizens’ lives.

Work cited Almond, Gabriel A. Comparative Politics Today: A World View. New York: Longman, 2010. Print. BBC News,. Brazil Inflation Rate Hits 12-Year High - BBC News. N.p., 2015. Web. 15 Oct. 2015. Kiernan, Paul. Brazil’S Unemployment Rate Hits Five-Year High In July. WSJ. N.p., 2015. Web. 15 Oct. 2015. Maček, Anita, and Rasto Ovin. Does Economic Interventionism Help Strategic Industries?. E+M 17.3 (2014): 4-14.