Die Regierung Lula zwischen neoliberalem Erbe und sozialem Auftrag

Abstract

Abstract

After the election of former union leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as Brazilian President in October 2002 people expected that economic stabilization policies might lose some weight in favor of policies to improve social justice. The deterioration of Brazil’s country risk indices during the election campaign forced all four main candidates to strongly reaffirm their commitment to orthodox economic policy. Lula was no exception, and the first six months of his government demonstrate his ability in transforming stabilization policy into an instrument of a socially oriented sustainable economic recovery. Just at the end of this period, most indicators show that time has come for an expansionary policy and a greater inclusion of the poor into economic and social cycles. This seems to reconfirm the correctness of his decision to pursue simultaneously stabilization, growth and distribution policies. And this can aid to improve the performance of Lula’s party vis-à-vis its dissidents.