Restaurando a Governabilidade: O Brasil (afinal) se Acertou?

The article aims to link recent changes in Brazil's political and economic situation with the question of governance in a democratic setting. It shows that a set of policies are only as good as the political support which enables their implementation. As memories of the economic nightmare of the past decade fade and the costs of sustaining price stability through needed budget cuts continue to be felt, popular dissatisfaction with reform is bound to increase. The Cardoso Administration's incremental strategy of state reform and its step-by-step approach to crucial human rights issues reflect the conflicting pressures the government must balance in order to make policy advances. As democratization increases the autonomous representation of societal interests and the structure of Brazilian politics continues to erect legislative obstacles, incrementalism seems the most appropriate pace for producing real, long-lasting reform.