Carnival is almost done for 2015; Rio de Janeiro is sobering up and looking forward to autumn, arriving in three weeks. Sadly, The Economist reports the Brazilian economy is a mess.
When a strong president is needed, Brazil has a weak leader in President Rousseff. During much of the period when Petrobras corruption has been alleged, she chaired the Petrobras board.
Permeating Latin America, Iberian culture has great charm. However, it is only rarely associated with clean government or economic rationality.
In lectures I've given on Latin America, I formerly said Brazil was one of the strong nations of the region, along with Chile and Peru. These were places I might consider investing or living.
Today, I wouldn't mention Brazil in that group. Brazil does remain stronger to varying degrees than Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay or Venezuela.
