1960: In Brazil, President Juscelino Kubitschek encouraged nationalism through public works projects sponsored by the government, but his spending on these improvements resulted in a higher national debt and inflation, such that the cost of living tripled in Brazil during his presidency. He was also accused of graft and corruption, a not-uncommon problem in Brazil and other Latin American nations. The weakness of his successor, Jânio Quadros, nearly led the country into civil war.

Today: After a period (from 1964 until 1985) of military rule rife with corruption and police terrorism, increased demands for democratization resulted in local elections (1982 for states and 1989 for president), but the two succeeding presidents were impeached for alleged corruption. President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, an academic rather than a military leader, came to power in 1994 on a campaign platform of democratic reform. His measures have resulted in progress in human rights...