Brazil Should Be a Superpower, but It Isn’t...

2016 was supposed to mark Brazil's rise as an economic superpower. The country saw rapid growth in industries, surpassing India and Italy, and nearing France and the UK in economic output. Improvements in healthcare, education, and political stability painted a promising picture.

But by 2016, the dream was shattered. The Rio Olympics, intended to showcase Brazil's success, became a global embarrassment. Delayed construction, waste-filled arenas, and the event's high costs bankrupted the city, leading to strikes by unpaid public servants. Instead of highlighting achievements, the Olympics exposed Brazil's challenges.

Since its peak, Brazil's GDP has nearly halved, erasing progress made in the 2000s. Corruption scandals and political instability further hinder its recovery.

This video explores how Brazil became a fast-growing economy, why it collapsed, and if it can reclaim its former success. Could Brazil rise again?
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[lukedornon]

No level of geographic advantage can overcome disastrous governance, just ask Brazil's neighbor Argentina.

[LuizOSonicfan]

I find it interesting that a lot of "gringos" have more faith in Brazil than the Brazilians themselves

[LeandroSantos-btlg]

I’m a native Brazilian who immigrated to Canada back in 2010. This conversation of Brazil becoming a superpower has been happening since my great- grandfather was alive and never materialized. I hope to one day witness Brazil becoming a world super power.

[normm]

My first professional job was was Xerox in the 1980’s. I remember hosting a team from Xerox do Brasil, and them saying ‘yes their country was great, but there is an old joke that ‘Brazil has a fantastic future - and always will’

A few years back, I was at a lunch with some partners from a major international law firm. One of the partners had just come back from doing a 5 year stint in Brazil, and he shook his head. After listening to the round of curious inquiries around the table, he smiled, shook his head, and said ‘Brazil has a fantastic future - and always will’…

[PhantomHarlock]

Brazillians always make something to live with their problems in the place of fix them. This avoids total collapse but also avoids bigger development.

[PhilomathAstrowizard]

As Brazilians, we have an "evil". We adapt too well, we're more focused on dealing with the now instead of building a better tomorrow.

[betterchapter]

I've always wanted to visit Brazil, a very beautiful country. Praying for prosperity in Brazil from 🇮🇳

[cassioamorim]

As a Brazilian who left in 2008, I see that in the end you are way more optimistic than any Brazilian I know, as the comment section proves lol

[bahaalshamari]

Brazil is getting older while not richer

[Kaz-vjfe]

Also good to notice that rocks on the ground dont make a country richer, otherwise the Congo would be a super power. People and companies do! Brazil was on ranking 129 of 190 on an "easy to do business with" list. The education and infrastructures are also abyssmal. That really shows how the only things somewhat viable are raising cattle and the government digging oil to sell abroad, and i think everyone can see how easy this system is to fail and to get back up over and over again

[talideon]

...and that's half of the reason there are so many Brazilians in Ireland! No bad thing from my perspective: they're lovely people.

[rLeafh]

The crazy thing about "Operation Car Wash" is that everyone involved in this affair are actually free, and one of them is the current president of Brazil...

[TheMagicLemur]

"Brazil is the country of the future... and always will be" - De Gaulle. 😅

Remains true in this video since the 2000's - always near to taking off but never quite does.

[Soooooooooooonicable]

Germany psychologically destroyed them. Brazil never recovered from 7-1

[Bad_Gnasher]

Corruption and incompetence will destroy any country given time.

[wertywerrtyson]

My wife is Brazilian so I want the country to succeed. I have visited in 2012, 2017 and 2023 and it’s sad to see how things have gotten worse and optimism left.

[AlanTheBeast]

Corruption prevented India from becoming greater than China - and that would have been achieved by the 80's.
Corruption seems to have destroyed Brazil's potential from the inside too.

[ARIXANDRE]

Centuries of mismanagement and corruption. Hospitality and samba can only do so much.

[sidineischmidt]

All bright-minded Brazilians are very disappointed and cynical about our Country. But let's admit that what we achieved with Plano Real was impressive!

[Aaron-muoz]

I’m Australian and I moved to Brazil last year, having lived in Canada, Timor-Leste and Spain before. It’s been great so far.