Curbing the Impacts of High Population Growth Rate in Brazil - Research Paper Example

Case Study: The Poor in Brazil Curbing the Impacts of High Population Growth Rate in Brazil A high population growth rate can be both a blessing and a curse for developing countries. It is a blessing because having a big population especially when the majority of the population is young, means that there are a lot of able bodied citizens that can be part of the countries workforce. A healthy supply of workers is imperative for the continued development of a country especially in economic terms. However, having a big population and a high population growth rate also means more people to share and distribute limited resources with. Countries with large populations and high population growth rates often are more prone to poverty and its citizens are more likely to suffer from hunger, malnutrition, inadequate education, lack of roper sanitation and insufficient medical attention. Fortunately, countries with large populations and high birth rates don’t have to suffer these consequences. There are a lot of ways to mitigate the needs of the poor for these countries and there are multiple strategies so that people will not be victim to poverty and injustice. With these in mind let us consider the case of Brazil: The population of Brazil is growing rapidly. If its present rate of growth of 2.8 percent continues, it will soon become the most populous country in the Western Hemisphere. Although Brazil is rich in natural resources and has significant economic growth, most of the benefits have gone to the rich. Forty percent of the population is under fifteen years of age, and unemployment is high. Population growth in the cities has made it difficult for the government to provide education, health care, water, sanitation, food, and housing for the poor. (White) It seems as though without a well designed intervention plan, Brazil will definitely succumb to poverty. The main question that has to be addressed in this situation is: What steps if any, should be taken to provide for the poor and needy people in this country? To give a good answer for this problem, a thorough search of available literature was conducted especially directed to minimize the effects of poverty towards the citizens while being able to sustainably provide the basic needs of the Brazilians. Out of these literatures, steps and suggestions were formulated so that Brazil, given its current conditions will be able to provide for the poor and needy and be able to help these citizens get out and prevent them from ever coming back to poverty. The examination of the case of the poor in Brazil will help in the formulation of strategies by other countries and communities faced with a similar situation and these case studies will be instrumental in understanding large scale/ global issues. In order to fully analyze the case of Brazil, there is a need to identify the country’s assets and liabilities. The assets of Brazil include (1) a fairly large current population, (2) richness in natural resources and (3) it has been achieving significant economic growth. Its liabilities include: (1) the 2.8% population growth rate, (2) Majority of their population are not yet fit to work (under the age of 15), (3) The rich get most of the economic gains, (4) the bulk of the population resides in cities, and (5) unemployment is high. For Brazil to be able to address the social and economic issues that it is and will be facing in the future, it needs to use its assets to counter its liabilities. And the first step in doing that is for the country’s leaders and citizens to adapt the “lifeboat” mentality as was promoted in Garrett Hardin’s essay. The lifeboat mentality. If Brazil adapts the lifeboat mentality then it will give more focus on its assets and how these assets can be multiplied or used to generate income. The lifeboat mentality also gears the country to prepare back-up plans in times of crises and calamities. With this mentality, the country will develop a self-reliant and self-regulating attitude. They would not require that much international aid because they will first maximize what they have already got. By now, the government probably knows the carrying capacity of their whole country and the major cities where people flock to. They just need to figure out how to increase production and the sustainable population growth rate they can afford to feed and provide for. Creation of a democratic socio-capitalist society. In terms of allocation of means to production and fruits of labor, it is best that Brazil adapt a democratic socio-capitalist society. Even though true democracy and freedom can be achieved through pure socialism as the essay of Kai Nielsen suggests, creating a purely socialist society is close to impossible in the real world. A democratic socio-capitalist society will be an avenue for increased private-public partnerships with regards to construction of housing projects, roads and other utilities. The government should pass legislatures that will make the economic environment in Brazil inviting to local and foreign investors. The infusion of capital from international as well as local corporations will generate jobs especially in construction, materials fabrication, and tourism. Though not all means to production will be publicly owned (as that of pure socialism) nor privately owned (pure capitalism) the people will have a voice in deciding which projects they would like to venture in because every transaction will be transparent and according to democratic standards. Taxes coming from the general public and the business owners will fund the government’s efforts to provide adequate sanitation, education and nutrition to its citizens. Subsidies for medical care can also be generated using these taxes and the government’s earnings from its services. Rights as a goal and as an instrument. Since the country’s population for the next 5 years or so will be relying on the products of its existing workforce, everyone must be willing to sacrifice their “rights” so that everyone will have equal opportunity to enjoy those rights later on. In Amartya Sen’s essay ‘Property and hunger’ he proposes that property rights can be set-aside for awhile so that the majority will be spared of hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Such sacrifices will have to be shouldered by all but most especially the elite citizens because they have surplus resources that can be a lot of help to their countrymen as either subsidy for their basic needs or for capital for job and profit creation. For the next 5 years (or until the current youth generation come of working age), people will have to voluntarily give-up their entitlements so that the limited resources can be used and distributed equally to all. When the workforce population is stronger, then the rights which were voluntarily given-up can now be slowly taken back. The programs that the government and non-government organization will implement during this 5-year recovery period should be more geared towards capacity building instead of being dole-outs. And each individual contribution should be valued because it will contribute to the over-all welfare of Brazilians. Counter-active measures. The 2.8% population growth rate of Brazil should be immediately addressed though because the success of all the suggestions above will rely on Brazil maintaining and better yet, lowering its population growth rate. If Brazil achieves this, then the economic growth it reaches will be felt by all, whether rich or poor. Population control can be achieved by having a strong reproductive health program, wherein women will be given access to proper information and state-subsidized birth control measure that is appropriate for the culture of the Brazilians. Better infant care and medical services can also be provided to mothers and their unborn child if the population growth rate is decreased. The government should also sponsor projects to develop the country sides so that people will not be concentrated in small cities. People will more likely be able to get aid and employment in areas where the population is not so crowded. Culture-based approaches will be the key in allowing Brazil to provide for its citizens. And as long as everyone cooperates, then they will be able to weather-out any economic or social problem that they will encounter. Further study and refinement of approaches is needed so that the implementation of the plans will go smoothly as Brazil prepares for its upcoming period of economic and social boost. References Hardin, G. (n. d.) Living on a lifeboat. Part three: Global Issues. PDF generated by CamScanner. 8, 414-421. Nielsen, K. (n. d.) A moral case for socialism. Part three: Global Issues. PDF generated by CamScanner. 8, 406-414. Sen, A. (n.d.) Property and hunger. Part three: Global Issues. PDF generated by CamScanner. 8, 433-440. White, J. E. Contemporary Moral Problems, 4th ed. 298-299. Read More