Agrarian Reform under Sarney and Collor de Mello-Franco

Abstract

After almost three decades of democratic rule and free-market reforms, Brazil remains a country beset with serious socioeconomic problems. There is growing skepticism today about the state’s capacity to act independently of narrow, private interests (Kingstone and Power, 2008; Kingstone, 2012). At the federal, state, and municipal levels, there is a lack of effective governance, especially in the field of social policy. Moreover, the prevalence of corruption, nepotism, favoritism, and clientelism has hindered efforts to effectively address social problems. In a sign of increasing political frustration, Brazilians—the middle class in particular—have taken their dissatisfaction to the streets.¹ Among other things, they are demanding better transportation, health, education, and law enforcement services. The recent slowdown of the Brazilian economy has also intensified political discontent.²