Alistair Burnett

The year 2014, supposed to be one of celebration for Brazil, has turned into a year of self-doubt and soul-searching. Coming on top of a series of failures, the announcement by the vice president of the International Olympic Committee that Rio de Janeiro’s preparations to host the 2016 Summer Olympics was “the worst I have experienced,” have added to growing criticism of the Brazilian government. Yet examination of the country’s record shows that some failings notwithstanding, Brazil has been successful in hewing to its policy of social transformation and cooperative foreign policy.

The year 2014, supposed to be one of celebration for Brazil, has turned into a year of self-doubt and soul-searching. Coming on top of a series of failures, the announcement by the vice president of the International Olympic Committee that Rio de Janeiro’s preparations to host the 2016 Summer Olympics was “the worst I have experienced,” have added to growing criticism of the Brazilian government. Yet examination of the country’s record shows that some failings notwithstanding, Brazil has been successful in hewing to its policy of social transformation and cooperative foreign policy.