Land reform in Brazil & Lula's neoliberalism. (c2009)

Abstract

This thesis analyzes an important Brazilian Social Movement called the "Landless Rural Workers Movement" or "MST" that has emerged in the early 80's following an already existent history of Brazilian Social Movements struggling against the injustice of land concentration in Brazilian rural areas. The MST has surpassed the role of being just an anti-capitalist, antiglobalist or revolutionary movement, to become a massive popular movement that has dominated its space, set its principles and assimilated its role in society in a national and international sphere. The thesis has a twofold purpose: on one hand it examines the MST struggle for land and on the other hand, it explores the existence of a government that does not abide by its obligation and fulfils its role in what has already been conceded in its constitution in regards to the question of land reform in Brazil. The corrupt political system in Brazil has proven to the movement that only the governance of a radical regime would serve their interest and finally implement a just and viable agrarian reform. Thus, the highlight of this study is to explore the present Brazilian government under President Lula, whose background and leftist ideologies had disillusioned the MST's expectations and hopes with his neoliberal and market oriented policies. Accordingly this thesis will discuss the Brazilian history and political system in order to better understand the political trap and disillusionment of the MST and other social movements.