Brazil: A Good Example to Follow
Published by toyin on Tagged Abroad, Governannce, Instructions
Brazil, the biggest South American country is expected to be the fifth largest economy in the world by 2015. Growing at 5% yearly, by the said year, it would knock off both Britain and France from their perch. Most significantly, the country has recorded 97% in school enrolment, which is a major component of the MDGs as enshrined in its formulation for developing countries.
The country, which was a former Portuguese colony has eclipsed all expectations in terms of growth and development and now is a member of a powerful group of nations popularly tagged the BRIC countries. This group consists of Russia, Indian, China and our subject matter.
In achieving this sustainable economic growth, the current administration of President Lula Da Silva developed a ‘home grown’ economic blue print that neither leaned too far to the left nor to the right. While free market enterprise was pursued with zeal, the enforcement of rules and regulations by the state was also enhanced. This resulted in the balance in economic realities rather than abstract growth figures that are usually quoted here in Nigeria without any positive or concrete impact on the citizenry.
Unlike Nigeria, Brazil is indeed in a political and economic leader in Latin America. This standing stems from the quality of life of the majority of its 192 million population. Borrowing from time tested technological initiatives of the Chinese and Indians, Brazil over the past 18 years had invested in such initiatives at increased levels on an annual basis. This has paid off in breakthrough advancement in biotechnology and allied inventions.
Wait for this; major exports from the country include aircrafts, automobile (Marco Polos are made in Brazil), electrical components, chemicals, steel, ethanol, iron ore, corn beef and textiles. According to Times, one of the biggest investments in history was launched in 2007 as Brazil kicked off a $300 billion four year plan to modernize it road networks, ports and power infrastructure. Talking about a nation who is going somewhere!
Developmental statistics available indicates that the GDP is $1.944 billion; unemployment stands at 7.6%, inflation 4.46%, GDP growth 5.7% all for 2008. Total imports fell way short of exports, a very clear indication of an industrializing nation. Aggregate balance of trade was in excess of $24 billion. Yet the country is not resting on its oars by going to sleep. Rather, bigger plans are in the offing to totally rebuild major cities taken into consideration the threat posed by Global Warming.
In 2002, Brazil was ‘bailed out’ by the IMF to the tune of $30.4 Billion that was a record sum by that time. The nation however paid back this loan in 2005 one full year before it’s due date! Just some few months back, the world became aware of a humongous Itaipu Dam that singularly generates 17000 megawatts of electricity when it had technical problem. Yet we are ‘working’ very hard to achieve just 6,000 megawatts for the whole country!
What’s there to learn from this? It is very clear that a Visionary can change a nation if patriotism and dedication forms the crust of his or her agenda. President Silva in 6 years showed dedicated leadership and fought corruption with determination. From an extended background in labour and socialist movements, he defied calculations with his victory in December 2002. Not forgetting his past like many are wont to do here, he seized the opportunity with integrity and zeal to steer his country in the right direction.
He has just eighteen months left to serve after being reelected in 2007 for a second term. Yet, he is driving his nation even faster toward absolute development and industrialization. Today, he is feted across the entire world as a decent politician who understands what governance is all about. And that’s the crust of the matter; having an understanding of what power and governance is all about.
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