RSSGuyana, a small nation on the shoulder of South America, is more than meets the eye. Recently named the next chair of UNASUR (Union of South American Nations), Guyana has an increased opportunity to influence South American politics and convince itself that it belongs in the South American league[...]
Archive for the ‘Brazil’ Category
July 28th, 2010 - 12:23 pm § in Brazil, Economic, Environment, Free Trade, Front Page, Guyana, Uncategorized
The Unpaved Road: Barriers to Guyana’s Integration with South America
July 19th, 2010 - 2:08 am § in Brazil, Front Page
Brazil’s Ficha Limpa (Clean Record) Legislation: Will it Run Over Corruption or Will it Run Out of Steam?
“Popular wisdom tells us that example comes from above. Corrupt politicians stimulate all kinds of corruption in society. When political representatives steal, they give their voters the green light to behave the same way. In such circumstances, blessed be society’s indignation!” Chico Whitak[...]
July 2nd, 2010 - 11:33 am § in Brazil, Front Page
Life-threatening Abortions: A Frequent Practice in Brazil
It should come as no surprise that a country whose population is 74% Roman Catholic bans abortion. In Brazil, the prohibition of abortion dates back to 1940. Today, the procedure can only be legally practiced if medical complications threaten a woman’s life, or when a pregnancy results from inces[...]
Brazil’s Black Gold (But also its Black Stain)
The Brazilian authorities have portrayed a complex issue of huge significance as a simplistic contest between nationalists and sell-outs. On Wednesday, June 9th, the Brazilian Senate passed a bill that alters regulations governing the exploitation of the offshore “pre-salt” oil fields. [...]
June 9th, 2010 - 10:49 am § in Brazil, Front Page
International TV Brazil Launch in Africa
On May 24, 2010, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil launched International TV Brazil, a government-owned television channel that will broadcast in Portuguese to forty-nine countries in Africa. While this is not Brazil’s first international television channel, it is the first government[...]
Brazil and China Commercial Ties Blossom Despite Limitations, while Brazil-U.S. Diplomatic Ties Remain on Course, with Some Exceptions
According to O Estado de São Paulo, the Chinese state-run oil company Sinopec has agreed to buy stakes in two offshore oil blocks from Brazil’s state-owned Petrobras. President Hu arrived in Brazil at the end of May for a meeting of the BRIC nations. Sinopec will probably take a twenty perc[...]
June 4th, 2010 - 3:04 pm § in Brazil, Front Page
Are Brazil and Lula out of Their Depth on Iran?
Introduction On May 15th, 2010, President Luiz Inácio Lula de Silva of Brazil met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey to discuss Iran’s nuclear program. The result was a startling announcement by the three countries regarding a proposed nuc[...]
June 1st, 2010 - 3:46 pm § in Brazil, Front Page
The WTO Cotton Dispute: How the U.S. is trying to Escape International Trade Regulation while Brazil Asserts Itself as a Regional Leader
• While pressuring developing countries to adopt pro-trade measures, the U.S. does not enforce its WTO commitment on cotton subsidies. • By pointing out this problem Brazil asserts itself in the international arena while the voice of African cotton exporting countries is not heard at the WTO. On[...]
The Achilles’ Heel of the Brazilian Economy: High Interest Rates in Brazil and the Need for Central Bank Reform Could Dampen President Lula’s Reputation
With a massive labor force and abundant natural resources, Brazil normally has offered a promising environment for foreign investment. But all too often these expectations have proved hollow. Despite its numerous advantages, Brazil has suffered from chronically poor law enforcement, weak corporate g[...]
Controversial “Clean Energy” Mega Project Threatens Ecosystem and Lives in Brazil’s Amazon
The April 20th date, already changed from March 30th, that was scheduled for staging an auction to bid for the rights to build and operate the controversial Belo Monte Dam in the Brazilian state of Pará has been further delayed due to the popularization of the issue by such well-known figures as di[...]