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Erica McDowell
12/16/99
Latin American Politics

Ted G. Goertzel's Fernando Henrique Cardoso: Reinventing Democracy in
Brazil.Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1999.

        In Ted G. Goertzel's book about the life of Fernando Henrique
Cardoso, he examines the pattern of life that Cardoso chose to take, which
lead him into the political world.  Goertzel concentrates on the
relationship of Cardoso's academic life and his political life.  Cardoso
grew up in a military family but never joined the military because he saw
that his father did not agree with many of the military's beliefs and
actions and often lost his rank because of is opposing opinion.  Cardoso
made a decision to reform Brazil's government.  He was determined to create
a fair and equal democracy in Brazil.  Through his studies, Cardoso came to
the realization that he did not have to claim to be a Marxist or a
Democratic, he just needed to apply the fitting theory to the corresponding
problem.  For Cardoso, this method allowed him to successfully solve
Brazil's economic problem of hyperinflation and helped him to stabilize
democracy in Brazil.  Goertzel felt that he had reached his political
beliefs in the same way that Cardoso had, which is another reason why he is
intrigued by Cardoso.
        Goertzel became very interested in Cardoso when he was elected
President of Brazil because he believes Cardoso has found the link between
one' s academic upbringing and one's political theory.  Goertzel was able
to gather much of his information from an interview with Cardoso and with
Cardoso's wife, First Lady Ruth Cardoso.  Goertzel also used information he
found in Cardoso's writings, speeches, press conferences, and interviews.
In addition, He was also able to find information about Cardoso's early
academic life in Brigitte Hersant Leoni's book, Fernando Henrique Cardoso:
O Brasil do Possivel (Goertzel, ix).
        Goertzel examines how Cardoso made a personal impact on Brazilian
politics.  He specifically focused on the stabilization of democracy and on
the economy.  Creating the Plano Real was a great accomplishment for
Cardoso but bringing a stable democratic regime to Brazil was always
Cardoso's main goal.  Goertzel thoroughly examined the Plano Real and
explained all aspects of it in his book.  The Plano Real which solved
Brazil's economic crisis brought Cardoso great praise and much support
within Brazil and within Congress.
        This leads to Goertzel's explanation of Cardoso's impact on the
history of Brazil.  He will be remembered for many things, one of which
will be for stabilizing democracy in Brazil.  Cardoso was finally a
president that had support from his Congress.  Goertzel explains that while
the economy went hay wire in the late 1990's and Cardoso's opponents, in
particular Lula, were promoting the unsure feeling of the public, Cardoso
held strong.  Cardoso worked on being a people person and eased the public
by "keeping a steady hand on the helm of the state" and constantly
informing the public of how he was solving the crisis.  Congress supported
his solutions and passed many of his laws because they figured he helped
them before so maybe he could help again.  Obvious evidence that Cardoso's
plans have succeeded is his re-election to the presidency.
        I think Goertzel clearly articulated his arguments by supplying
supporting evidence for each argument.  Goertzel could have left out hear
say that made Cardoso seem corrupt.  Cardoso has done many positive things
for Brazil's democracy and economy and Goertzel should have concentrated on
those.  I am not convinced that Cardoso is a corrupt president because when
comparing him to past rulers of Brazil is very fair.  Goertzel successfully
illustrated Brazil's transition to stable democracy under the rule of
President Cardoso.  I thought the book was very informing and I believe it
gave an overall view of the politics of Brazil.  Since I had prior
knowledge of Latin American politics before reading the book, I think that
Goertzel provided a good tool to compare Brazil's political accomplishments
to other Latin American countries' political accomplishments.

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Latin America
Prof. Turner
Fall 1999 Exam
Rendall Harris

Goertzel, Ted G. Fernando Henrique Cardoso: Reinventing Democracy in
  Brazil.Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1999.

      Ted G. Goertzeal's book "Fernando Henrique Cardoso: Reinventing
Democracy in Brazil" gives an account of a presidents rise to power.  This
is not your normal political leader.  Cardoso was a sociologist before
becoming a political figure.  Goertzel gives the reader insight into how
Cardoso made his way from sociologist to political leader. Goertzel also in
this discussion gives an account of what problems Brazil has faced for many
years and how they have been changed through Cardoso's polices. The author
finds the way that Cardoso has changed policy interesting because of how he
had mixed his academic background with the political field.
             Goertzel used many sources in order to understand and present
to the reader how a sociologist could bring so much to an occupation that
is not typically in relations with the political field.  Through research
on Cardoso's family life and their political history he realized that there
were political ties that could lead Cardoso to the presidency.  Goertzel
approaches the subject by examining how this sociologist goes from being a
professor and studying sociological ideas to applying them to the political
debates.
       Cardoso is an applied social scientist who is concerned with wanting
to do the most for the good of society.  He feels that the leadership that
a sociologist can contribute will lead to a better society.  His way of
thinking shows how he is a pragmatist. He will find practical solutions to
specific problems.  For example the inflation problem in Brazil was going
out of control, so Cardoso set up a plan, Plano Real, this was going to
control inflation and help out the poor and working class.  Ideas like this
helped him win the presidency and rise to power.  He took a complex problem
and showed the people that he was a leader who was going to maintain the
stability of their country.
        In reading this book I found that it was not a hard read, however,
there is information that did not seem necessary to the subject of the
book. I understand to show how Cardoso rose to power that the author must
give all previous historical information, but there was information about
other leaders, that although interesting, seemed to make the book almost
too wordy. Other than that, having no previous knowledge of Cardoso's life
and rise to power, Goertzel gives an accurate historical account from the
viewpoint of another sociologist.
        The book over all helps the reader to understand that the political
field may need more than a typical politician to get the job done.  If
someone is dedicated enough to do a job well and if he understands the
policies then he would most likely do the best job.  This is evident in the
final paragraph of the book where it reads, "… he had never thought of
himself as a knight in shining armor who could solve all of the countries
problems." (p200)  He knew what needed to be done but knew he could not do
it all, but he had a plan and commitment that he would stick too.  The
sustainability of the country is where the plan is in tack.  Cardoso's way
of looking at a problem and devising an answer is the best way to find an
acceptable solution to the crises that may occur in this ever changing
nation.

        ----------------------------------------------
 

Peggy McCauley
December 16, 1999
333 Latin American Politics
Professor Brian Turner
 

        The book Fernando Henrique Cardoso: Reinventing Democracy in Brazil, by
Ted
G. Goertzel examines the political history of one of the most powerful
countries in South America, Brazil. Goertzel identifies Fernando Henrique
Cardoso as one of the most intellectual and influential leaders in 20th
Century Latin America.  In this book Cardoso is hailed as a social scientist
who understands theory, but applies both qualitative and quantitative
information in when formulating policies.  As the president of Brazil,
Cardoso has pursued pragmatic solutions to the country's problems despite
criticism from social science theorists and opposition from the left.
        Goertzel gives great detail and insight to Cardoso's personal
philosophies.
Goertzel develops Cardoso's character and the development of his
philosophies through extensive  research into Cardoso's  personal and
private life.  The book begins describing Cardoso's childhood and
upbringing, his education, his work as an intellectual and a professor, and
the development of Cardoso's political ascension to the presidential office.
Goertzel includes a rather extensive view into Brazilian politics and the
creation of a democratic government.  He depicts Cardoso as a contradicting,
revolutionary figure who continues to challenge the reputations of previous
Brazilian governments by fighting corruption, supporting democracy, and
instituting pragmatic solutions to social and economic problems.
        Goertzel paints a holistic picture of a man determined to change
Brazil.
Through a complete biography, the reader is able to grasp Cardoso's
character and ideals.  However, the discussion of Brazil's political history
is difficult to follow at some points in the book.  A reader who is not
familiar with the details of the political system and the political leaders
of Brazil can get bogged down in these details.  Since this biography will
most likely be read and studied in an intellectual classroom setting,
including a chapter on the general politics of Brazil would be helpful to
readers. Including a chapter or even a time line of political events would
help readers to understand the previous politics and the impact of Cardoso's
presidency on the country.
        Although this biography is an important look at the personal and
political
success of Fernando Henrique Cardoso, it serves a more important role in
demonstrating the success of an uncorrupted democratic regime in Latin
America.  Brazil can be seen as a bench mark for other countries to follow.
Through this book, Goertzel creates a broad view of Brazilian politics
giving his readers a greater understanding of Brazil as well as Latin
America.  The book is timely and includes germane information until the time
of publication.  It book makes an excellent addition to any Brazilian or
Latin American political science class.  Read it!

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         Kevin Cherwa
         December 16, 1999
         Final Exam

Goertzel, Ted G.  Fernando Henrique Cardoso:  Reinventing Democracy in Brazil.
 Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1999.

 Fernando Henrique Cardoso:  Reinventing Democracy in Brazil by Ted G. Goertzel is an extremely knowledgeable outlook on the life of Fernando Henrique Cardoso.  This book tells about every aspect of Cardoso’s life and discusses how he moved from the Communist way of thinking to being Brazil’s greatest democratic president.  One can read this book and get a clear understanding of the theme that Goertzel was trying to get across to the readers.  This theme is that of the education that Cardoso had and how his educational background enabled Cardoso to be the powerful leader he was to the people of Brazil.
 Goertzel sites many examples throughout the course of examining the subject of the this book.  Some examples would include such things as Cardoso’s formation of the Center for Analysis and Research.  Another example that was included was how hard Cardoso fought in order to win the 1994 elections.  Goertzel tells of the many accomplishments that Cardoso achieved while in his presidency.
 Some things that Goertzel concentrates on telling to the readers is the many things Cardoso did during his presidency and the hard times that he went through.  Goertzel focuses a lot on Cardoso’s seriousness about issues such as privatization.  Goertzel speaks of the hard times that Cardoso went through as president.  Such hard times would include dealing with the banking crisis between 1994 and 1996.  He also speaks of the stock market crisis of 1997.  Goertzel focuses a lot on the many obstacles that Cardoso had to avoid in order to push Brazil forward during his presidency.
 This book is a very interesting piece of work.  Goertzel does a great job identifying Fernando Henrique Cardoso and telling about the extraordinary events that Cardoso encountered and the accomplishments that he had throughout his presidency.  The arguments that Goertzel addresses throughout this book are clearly identified and explained to the readers.  All of the sections in the book are there to give the reader a fairly in-depth understanding of the situation that Brazil was in, prior to Cardoso, and how Brazil got increasingly better after Cardoso was elected.
 I feel that this book is extremely well written and easy to read.  After reading this book I feel that Cardoso, though he had some hard times was one of Latin America’s greatest leaders.  This book explains how politics in Brazil worked prior to Cardoso, as well as how politics work after Cardoso.  Many of the countries in Latin America suffer from corrupt governments.  This book explains how Brazil was one of those countries, however with the help of a strong leader, Brazil was able to overcome many of the problems that their prior leaders had caused.

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Goertzel, Ted G. Fernando Enrique Cardoso: Reinventing Democracy in Brazil. Boulder,
 Colo.:Lynne Rienner Publishers, 1999.

Reviewed by Emily Newton

Fernando Henrique Cardoso has helped mold Brazilian history.  The author, Ted Goertzel proves this by using political analysis to describe the events in Henrique Cardoso’s life, and how they shaped his political strategies.  Goertzel also examines Cardoso’s social science career, and how that unexpected career led him to the presidency.  Without the powerful plans promoted by Fernando Cardoso, the country of Brazil would be a very different place.  From social scientist to President, Cardoso has been faced with many problems involving the stability of democracy in Brazil.  Cardoso has been a major actor in such key events as land reform, the stock crisis, and the bank crisis.  Through these obstacles in Brazilian history, the author feels Cardoso has proved to be a stable, fair, and cunning executive leader.  Cardoso has experienced a lot of political situations to make him the powerful decision maker he is today.
The author explains the impact of Cardoso in the Brazilian government by illustrating key aspects.  From birth through his reign as the president of Brazil, Cardoso was surrounded by political ideologies such as, thoughts of Marx, Toque Ville, and Lenin.  The author examines the issues that Cardoso faced in his early research and social science career to help the readers understand the basis for his later decisions.  These social science issues are addressed in articles such as Sao Paulo: Growth and Poverty and Dependency and Development in Latin America.  The descriptions and brief analysis of these articles opens the reader eyes to the real work of Cardoso.  The readers are able to further understand his work when it is revealed first hand.  Ted Goertzel did this by incorporating many long and self-explanatory quotes.  When the readers came across an important milestone in Cardoso’s personal or political life there was a quote by Cardoso to prove the importance of this event.  In this way, Goetzel was able to support the theme stated above.
Along with a detailed history and many first account of Cardoso, Goertzel examines Cardoso’s political career through the many policies and crises that faced him as president.  Instead of providing an overview of his entire career, Goertzel breaks the book into sections.  These sections include in-depth information about particular subjects.  Instead of many background facts about the problems of Cardoso, the Congress, and the judicial systems, the readers are able to grasp the relationship in the government through the analysis of the major events.  Some of the events that are discussed are social security reform, scandals, the banking crisis, Planno Real, and the stock market crisis. In each of these sections the topic is introduced, the problems were identified, and the Cardoso’s ideologies were exposed.  The author does not merely summarize the book, but provides an analysis of many of the milestones in his career.
Even though this book is very thorough and analyzed, there is one issue that is of great concern.  In order for the author to effectively argue the positive role that Cardoso played in the Brazilian government, the negative aspects must also be addressed.  There are many criticisms that surround Cardoso and his regime.  The theme of this book fails to incorporate the criticisms that have plagued this regime. If Goertzel would address some of this negativity, he would be forced to defend the actions of Goertzel, and that would make the author’s argument stronger.  This would show that Cardoso has the ability to overcome criticism.  This would be a wise choice rather than to eliminate these criticisms for the book.   The only criticism that is mentioned in the book is that there was one instance where corruption was suspected.  The illegitimate act was committed by one of the Congress members.  Even when the author does address this issue, Cardoso’s reputation remains unflawed.  This is just a minor criticism.  The book has enough strength to support Cardoso’s argument without telling about the criticisms, but I believe this implementation will strengthen the argument.
The book explained many background concepts about Brazil through the overview of Cardoso’s career.  From the information in the book, it is apparent that Cardoso has and will continue to be a major player in the shaping the government of Brazil.  As a student in a Latin American politics class, we learn background information on every country.  Therefore, this book pinpointed certain issues within the country that would we would otherwise not have the ability to explore.