Luiz fernando henrique cardoso biography

In , he was named one of the greatest public intellectuals in the world in a survey by the British magazine Prospect. In , he was awarded the John W. FHC was chosen for being one of the leading scholars of political economy in recent Latin American history. For an overview of the documents held by the Foundation, click here to access the Guide to Fernando Henrique Cardoso Archive.

In he ran for the Senate as a candidate for the MDB, came in second place and became an alternate for Franco Montoro. In this position, he articulated political and electoral reforms that paved the way for the redemocratization of the country, which ended in with the return of direct elections for president. In May , following a call from the president, he moved to the Ministry of Finance.

Contrary to the opinion of those who thought it would only be possible to tackle inflation once a new government was in place, Fernando Henrique Cardoso brought together a team of leading economists and drew up a sophisticated stabilization plan, the Plano Real, launched in This included a major effort to reduce the fiscal deficit and a monetary reform, with the introduction of the URV, culminating in the entry into circulation of a new currency, the Real, in July It was fantastic.

Within a week, everyone knew what it meant. The nation responded by electing him president in October of Cardoso triumphed in the election over his more charismatic opponent, Labor Party candidate Luis Ignacio da Silva. Brazilian voters could understand Cardoso's plans—in fact, they already had already been put into action.

Luiz fernando henrique cardoso biography

Brazil's business leaders overlooked Cardoso's liberal politics and education in Marxism and gave him their support, mainly because he had already proven his understanding of Brazil's complex economic problems and his preparedness to deal with them. While some of some leaders associated with the former military regimes found reasons to support him, so did many leftists, who felt his socialist convictions were still intact.

Cardoso considers his "strong personality," bold vision for Brazil's future, and motivational and decision-making skills among the qualities that voters twice elected him for, according his interview with Ted Goertzel. The couple has three adult children and several grandchildren. Cardoso continued his regimen to get Brazil's economy back on track.

He privatized some industries and was active in attracting foreign trade to the nation, which had previously avoided foreign imports. Cardoso's policies benefitted the poorest Brazilians the most, bringing service-industry wages up. Because they had to pay an increased cost for services, the middle class felt the greatest pinch. In the inflation rate was 50 percent per month; by , Cardoso had reduced it to three percent per year.

Brazil became South America 's cornerstone trade market—billions of dollars in foreign trade and investment poured into the nation. In fewer than four years, Cardoso had made great strides toward stabilizing the nation. So well-liked was Cardoso that voters improved an amendment to the Brazilian constitution that allowed him to serve a second term as president.

This second victory was not as easy for Cardoso as his first election was. In response, Cardoso subjected Brazil to austere financial reforms that included spending cuts and tax increases to reduce the nation's budget deficit and to secure international loans. Unemployment rose, as did inflation. Though his motivation was to secure the economy, the strict reforms were not popular with voters.

Economists still contend over its long-term effects; some research suggests that companies sold by the government achieved better profitability as a result of their disengagement from the state. Economists aligned with his government argued that this was due to external factors outside the control of the administration at the time, such as the devaluation of the Brazilian real and the growth of the share of the debt denominated in US dollars.

With this economic shift, the greatest achievement of Cardoso — his landmark lowering of inflation — was maintained, but his popularity plummeted. Given his previous experience as Minister of Foreign Affairs and his prestige as an internationally famous sociologist, he was respected on the world scene, building friendships with such leaders as Bill Clinton and Ernesto Zedillo.

Although he was respected abroad, in Brazil he had problems gaining support in Congress for government priorities and among people in general. As a result, major reforms planned by the executive branch , such as changes in the tax system and to social security , were only partially approved and only after long discussion. Although claiming to still support social democracy , his economic policies led people on the left to identify him with neoliberalism and right-wing politics , terms that often carry a very negative connotation in Latin American political debate and academic circles.

Both his grandfather and great uncle were generals, the latter being Minister of War; but Cardoso's family belonged to the nationalist, reformist tradition in the Brazilian officer corps. Later, as a civilian lawyer, especially under the Vargas administration, he strongly defended national control of Brazil's oil industry, as did his brother, General Felicissimo Cardoso.

With this background, it is not surprising that Cardoso opposed the right-wing military-backed coup in After the coup, Cardoso taught in universities in Latin America, Europe, and the United States, establishing his reputation as a political sociologist, being best known for his work on dependency theory.