Tag: Brazil

R&D from Prepd: Brazilian Politics

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On September 10, 2021

In International Extemp, R&D

Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.

This week’s R&D is on recent developments in Brazilian politics.  President Jair Bolsonaro recently called on his supporters to gather in the capital of Brasilia to express their support for his administration and protest the actions of the nation’s Supreme Court.  Brazil will not have a presidential election until fall, but observers fear that Bolsonaro is riling up his base to challenge the result of that election.  There were also fears that Bolsonaro’s backers would try to overrun the Supreme Court building, which would be Brazil’s version of the January 6 Capitol riot in the United States.

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R&D from Prepd: The Rousseff Impeachment Saga

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On May 17, 2016

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on the ongoing impeachment saga engulfing Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.  The Brazilian Senate voted last week to put Rousseff on trial.  She stands accused of illegally manipulating public finances and will now be forced to vacate the presidential palace while lawmakers consider her fate.  The trial might take six months, which could mean that Rousseff will miss being Brazil’s official head of state during the Summer Olympics.  Her supporters charge that she is a victim of a legislative coup.

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R&D from Prepd: Brazilian Politics

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On March 22, 2016

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides an update on Brazil’s turbulent political situation.  Protests are growing against President Dilma Rousseff as Brazil’s Congress weighs whether or not to impeach her.  Meanwhile, Rousseff recently appointed former President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva as her chief of staff, a move that critics say was meant to shield da Silva from prosecution for corruption allegations.  Rousseff and da Silva warn that a coup is imminent, but Brazilians appear angry about growing economic difficulties and losses at the state oil company Petrobras.  The political nightmare is made worse by the upcoming Summer Olympics, which will take place in Rio in August.

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The Impeachment Trial of Dilma Rousseff

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On December 9, 2015

In International Extemp, Topic Brief

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Once heralded as one of the strongest emerging economies, Brazil has seen its economic fortunes wane over the past year as a result of corruption scandals, fiscal management, and bureaucratic incompetence.  The nation is in the midst of a recession – the longest downturn since the 1930s – and unemployment is nearing double digits.  As if this was not bad enough, Brazil’s Congress is moving to remove President Dilma Rousseff on charges that she violated Brazil’s fiscal management laws by manipulating government finances to aid her re-election campaign last year.  Congress may also move to look into whether Rousseff played any part in a scandal at the state-owned oil company Petrobras, as she was Brazil’s energy minister in former President Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva’s government.  While some investors have welcomed the move to impeach Rousseff – viewing her as an obstacle to sound economic management – other analysts worry that the impeachment controversy will be an unwelcome distraction as Brazil attempts to correct its present economic trajectory.  Rousseff’s defenders argue that her prosecution is politically motivated and that Speaker Eduardo Cunha only initiated the proceedings after Rousseff’s Worker’s Party (PT) moved to oust him on charges of bribery and money-laundering.

This topic brief will briefly discuss the current impeachment process, explain the political dynamics behind it, and then describe some scenarios that could occur in the coming months with regards to Rousseff’s potential impeachment.

Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.

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R&D: The Impeachment Trial of Dilma Rousseff

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On December 9, 2015

In R&D

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Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany today’s premium topic brief on the impeachment trial of Dilma Rousseff.

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R&D from Prepd: Brazil’s Political Intrigue

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On October 20, 2015

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on Brazil’s political intrigue.  President Dilma Rousseff is facing an impeachment effort in the midst of swirling allegations of fiscal mismanagement.  Furthermore, Rousseff is under fire to replace finance minister Joaquim Levy.  Brazil is coping with its worst economic downturn in nearly a century and the nation’s fiscal problems are aggravated by corruption inquiries into major politicians.  The Brazilian opposition accuses Rousseff of hiding the liabilities of social programs in the 2014 national budget, which would violate the nation’s fiscal responsibility law.

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Brazil’s Struggles (2014)

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On April 29, 2014

In International Extemp, Topic Brief

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The last decade has seen Brazil’s rise as one of the economic powerhouses of the developing world and one of the leaders of moderate economic policies in Latin America.  Bolstered by high commodity prices, Brazil has managed to lift thirty to forty million out of poverty and acquire more international recognition, as evident by its association with other BRICS nations (Russia, India, China, and South Africa).  Brazil’s increased recognition is evident by its winning the hosting rights to this year’s World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics.  However, like other BRICS nations, Brazil is beginning to see its economy slow down as a result of falling commodity prices, poor government management, and American monetary policy.  Although the nation has significant oil wealth and is still better off economically than the late twentieth century, it is still in need of dire economic and political reforms.  With a presidential election approach this October it is unlikely that reforms will come in the short-term, but the next presidential administration will be tasked with preserving the nation’s economic gains and preventing social tensions from exploding.

This topic brief will break down Brazil’s economic and security struggles while providing ways that Brazil can try to fix some of these problems.  It is hoped that the analysis contained in this brief can assist extempers when talking about Brazil since they are likely to get questions on the country in the near future pertaining to its ability to host international events and its upcoming presidential election.

Readers are also encouraged to use the links below and in the related R&D to bolster their files about this topic.

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R&D: Brazil’s Struggles (2014)

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On April 29, 2014

In R&D

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Here is today’s premium R&D to accompany today’s premium topic brief on Brazil’s struggles (2014).

 

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R&D from Prepd: Brazil’s Pacification Strategy

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On April 10, 2014

In R&D

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l_2Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd, the only software built specifically for extemp. Prepd makes it easy to research, practice, and compete!  Visit www.prepd.in to learn more. Like Prepd on Facebook for special info and contests.

This R&D provides resources on Brazil’s “pacification” program.  The program’s goal is to enhance security for the 2016 Summer Olympics and World Cup by sending police officers and soldiers into Rio’s slums.  Critics argue that the campaign is violating the human rights of the poor and causing higher levels of crime in other parts of the city.

 

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