Valsa Brasileira: Discussion with Laura Carvalho

Our very own Laura Carvalho, professor at the Department of Economics of University of São Paulo, has recently published the timely and important book'Valsa brasileira: Do boom ao caos econômico'. In reading her contribution we hope to critically reflect on the past 20 years of Brazilian socio-economic history. Each chapter will be briefly summarized by one of our organizers, and we will subsequently discuss openly with all attendees. Everyone is welcome!

The discussions will be held in English and Portuguese.

Timeline
Session 1, 23 May, 10am BRT
Chapter 1, O Milagrinho brasileiro: um passo à frente | Summary by Isadora Pelegrini
Chapter 2, A Agenda Fiesp: um passo ao lado | Summary by Ana Bottega

Session 2, 30 May, 10am BRT
Chapter 3, A panaceia fiscal: um passo atrás | Summary by Vanessa Avanci
Chapter 4, Acertando os passos | Summary by Nathalie Marins
Chapter 5, Dançando com o diabo | Summary by Maria Cristina Barbieri Góes

Session 3, 2 June, 10am BRT Discussion with Laura Carvalho
Moderation by Ana Bottega & Nathalie Marins

Session 4 (TBD) | Reflections from inside policy-making with Esther Dweck (UFRJ), former economic advisor to the Ministry of Planning then Secretary of Federal Budget in the Dilma administration
Moderation by Ana Bottega & Nathalie Marins

Book description:
Entre 2006 e 2017, a economia brasileira viveu numa montanha russa. Do segundo mandato de Lula ao impeachment de Dilma Rousseff, o país passou por alguns dos anos de maior prosperidade de sua história, mas também viveu uma crise Sem precedentes. O que aconteceu? Este livro sugere uma resposta. Segundo a autora, os obstáculos para a continuidade do crescimento inclusivo de 2006 e 2010 eram superáveis, mas optou-se por fazer deles pretexto para uma malsucedida mudança de rumo. Laura Carvalho não se limita ao diagnóstico, e propõe uma nova agenda, partindo do princípio de que o aprofundamento da democracia cabe, sim, no orçamento. A tese é simples: uma agenda para todos, que não tema os investimentos públicos nem o Estado de bem-estar social. É com esse espírito polêmico e propositivo que Laura Carvalho dá sua contribuição no momento em que, chacoalhado por convulsões políticas, o Brasil está na encruzilhada do futuro.

Between 2006 and 2017, the Brazilian economy lived on a roller coaster. From Lula's second term to the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff, the country has gone through some of the most prosperous years in its history, but has also experienced an unprecedented crisis. What happened? This book suggests an answer. According to the author, the obstacles to the continuity of inclusive growth in 2006 and 2010 were overcome, but it was decided to make them a pretext for an unsuccessful change of course. Laura Carvalho is not limited to the diagnosis, and proposes a new agenda, based on the principle that the deepening of democracy fits in the budget. The thesis is simple: an agenda for all, which does not fear public investments or the welfare state. It is in this controversial and purposeful spirit that Laura Carvalho makes her contribution at a time when, shaken by political upheavals, Brazil is at the crossroads of the future.