ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 examines questions of national identity and processes of nation building in Brazil. These factors are crucial for binding any nation together, particularly ones as large and diverse as Brazil. What calls attention in this case, however, is how Brazil as a nation is, in fact, a relatively recent creation. Many of the traits today considered quintessentially Brazilian were actually strategically identified and made significant within the last century. This is relevant not only for seeing how Brazil makes sense of its own history, but also for understanding ongoing processes of inequality and social exclusion. By drawing on key historical factors, this chapter sheds light on contemporary social and cultural debates in Brazil. It also sets the stage for subsequent chapters by providing relevant historical context and introducing several themes addressed throughout the book.
