No doubt there is much noise around as there has been for over two years by now. Trauma has been deep and extensive. A President's impeachment, enduring massive investigations over so many years of corrupt public-private relationship. Prosecution and jailing of the big and powerful. More than two years in recession after a long stretch of irresponsible, often criminal public spending.
Brazil is paying dearly for its belief in hollow promises. The new administration, merely five months fully in office, faces the arguably sum of all evils, both economic and political. Every move has to be made with extreme caution before the eyes of the understandably impatient nation and marketplace.
All throughout the crisis prophecies of doom have never materialized. Despite existing sorrow and distrust, risk of an actual convulsion has never been any more than malicious speculation. Institutions hold strong as the country slowly starts to lick its wounds. Imperfect as they may forever be, the pillars of democracy prevail.
After a long free fall and having hit rock bottom, there is finally a hint of good news. Unemployment is finally slowing down, inflation plummets and interest rates engage into a steep descent. Fire begins to die down out of oxygen deprivation. Some hope at last.
Make no mistake. The administration has a gargantuan task in the months ahead. Crucial reforms in the budgetary norms, in social security, labor laws, tax and perhaps more will be needed to ensure the comeback to a sufficiently healthy economy. Marginal growth in 2017, then timid progress in the following years until steadiness can settle in again.
Oddly enough even amidst chaos some segments are reported not merely to have survived the worst, but to be taking steps ahead. In the education industry, agribusiness and as far as in some niches of retailing positive figures and projected investments have been announced lately. The immense potential remains, added by a huge delay to be made up for. Food and plenty of other resources, industries and infrastructure to be updated, just to name a very few.
When senseless voices against global cooperation are being heard, ill-fated as they may be, yet another Brazilian characteristic stands out; the masses to feed, to educate, to house, to transport, to employ. If the trend for isolationism can only point to added stagnation, that backlog appears all the timelier for those aiming at a good challenge with great possible rewards.
Yes, it is indeed noisy around here. And yet, where is it not these days? Europe, the US? Civilization never seems to learn from past mistakes, so the same lessons have to be repeated over and over again. Thankfully some gain ends being made after each setback. Clairvoyance in turn has never been proven wrong. In the middle of all smoke and dusk, Brazil may well remain a wise bet after all.
