A restless Brazil

One would question how the world is looking at Brazil a few months ago, today and maybe 15 years from now. 40 years ago a dictatorship, followed by a period of severe economical hardship and complete underdevelopment, than economical reform that was leading to real growth and the creation of a solid class, now about 40 million people and growing. That period was recognized as a successful time and Brazil became a BRIC country, today there is something else is going on.

What started as a protest against a marginal fare increase for public transportation turned into mass demonstrations against the government and local politicians? The Brazilian’s are unhappy about what is happening in their country. Government spending and priorities are questioned. The people simply don’t get what they are paying for. Interest rates are high, inflation manifest itself and prices are already sky high, as I mentioned in earlier blogs. If one combines this with the ambition of the government to organize the FIFA World cup and Rio the Olympics are too much for the Brazilians. For many this cocktail is too much to swallow and for the first time in 20 years they “take the streets” by massive numbers. It’s in general a peaceful movement obviously disturbed by a few and major vandalism is taking place. A Hyundai dealer close to my place witnessed his windows smashed, a few people entered his showroom filled with new cars and the rest is history. That’s shameless and happens everywhere in the world, out of thousand protesters convinced about their cause there are 10 able to destroy this and create serious material damage and sometimes more. Obviously that dominates the news

Since 2 months I live in Rio de Janeiro with most likely another few months to go. Talking with colleagues their view remains surprised, they see people are very concerned and unhappy, paying a lot and get very little in return and see that corruption increases everywhere. Like most of the things here everything will one way or another find a solution. Brazilians remain reasonably calm and optimistic about themselves, the country and the future. I see basically the opposite of this in e.g  France and Holland where we spend first of all time to analyze the negative effects and potential impact . All the protest were carefully planned around the Confederations Cup, they were planned but not really orchestrated. All communications is going though Facebook and a few other local social networks. Lack of leaders is becoming visible and at some point when the protest are moving from spontaneous to the next level it will be commendable that there is some form of leading entity that can speak on behalf of the masses and eventually negotiate with Government and local politicians and relay the messages and actions back to the people. Moreover the protest is a generic "we are unhappy" manifestation, its not very specific and that has the risk of ending with nothing! Leadership and specific requests are missing!

In my view this is evidently growing pain from a country which has experienced spectacular growths, I don’t think it’s a real correction it will be a wake-up call to the political leaders of this beautiful country and some things will make a bit of progress such as hospitals and later on education.

The soccer stadiums are well fitted, the security functions and Brazil is playing well. Next year when the real games will take place and Brazil plays, schools, factories, public services and business will be closed, the country will be united and all supporting with one voice the Selecao. Despite all the troubles the last few weeks….Futeball will remain the beautiful game with hopefully a sparkling Brazil in the final and there are a few decades necessary to create a reasonably balanced society!