Brazil: Quite the Contrary & Above All

Brazilians have always reveled in their genius for getting themselves into impossible predicaments, complicating the predicaments beyond belief, and then scrambling out of them at the last possible second not only unscathed but refreshed. They are the masters of the fearless retreat, the intransigent com promise, the edged hedge and the artful fix. No belief is so rigid that it cannot be reversed, no enemy so hated that he cannot be embraced. Revolutions are accomplished by collect telegram, prosperity by printing more money, and politics is riding a bandwagon. Absolutely nothing in Brazil is absolute. As a Brazilian Congressman...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!