ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to highlight the evolution and key features surrounding the evolution of state-business relations in Brazil. Following a brief overview of relevant theoretical issues, the chapter turns to a consideration of the evolution of state-business relations over time. In this connection four key epochs are identified and discussed. These comprise the era of corporatism, developmentalism and state-directed industrialisation (which stretched from the 1930s through to the mid-1980s), the period of hesitant globalisation (1985–2002), the cautious return of developmentalism (2002–16) and the advent of liberal reform (2016 to the present). Have established patterns of business-state interactions genuinely served Brazil’s long-term economic interests? The chapter argues that the answer here must be “only partially.” While significant industrial capabilities have been built up – for example, in oil exploration – not all ventures have been successful. It is also the case that state-business relations in Brazil have been frequently characterised by corrupt practices. These were exemplified by the recent Lava Jato (Car Wash) scandal. The chapter concludes by gauging the prospects for future reform.
