The colonial and imperial past: obstacles or opportunities to create a modern Brazil? -- From the republic to the estado novo -- The experiment in democracy, 1945-64: why did it fail? -- The military in power: the final intervention? -- Failed transition? -- The Lula government: an assessment -- Dilma Rousseff: the right choice to succeed Lula in 2011? -- Public policy challenges for the 21st century -- Foreign affairs -- Brazilian culture and society -- Conclusion: some final reflections
