Brazil, the largest country on the South American continent, has historically been seen as the underdog socially, politically and above all economically. Called “the country of the future… and always will be” by many Brazilians and those who know the country best, the country has not always been a beacon of hope for Latin America as it is today (Weyland, pg 64). Brazil has many unique qualities compared to many of its Latin American counterparts. While much of Latin America has struggled with its Spanish colonial past, Brazil has been much more diplomatic and tolerant of its Portuguese colonial past. With such a large amount of natural resources and territory, Brazil has had the advantage of being relatively self-sufficient when necessary, but also of being able to develop into one of the most active and prosperous trading nations in Latin America. With frequent political transitions throughout its 500-year history and going through periods of oppression and totalitarianism, Brazil has managed to overcome and overcome the scars of its dictatorial past. This is partly because he avoided ruthless and violent dictators along the lines of Pinochet in Chile, Peron in Argentina, Castro in Cuba and Fujimori in Peru, to name a few. In this research paper, I will briefly describe an overview of Brazil's current political circumstances, also touching on some key factors that have aided its development, as well as in-depth analyzes of the country's history through three main phases. I will also make philosophical connections to explain and put into perspective the events that transformed Brazil into the country it is today. An important aspect of Brazilian socioeconomic and political development, a... middle of paper.... ...violence on the streets of Brazil, fueled by high levels of poverty and drug trafficking. Despite the amount of research that has been done to answer some of Brazil's most burning questions, there are still questions that remain unanswered; answers that remain to be seen beyond 2013. What is the best way for Brazil to combat street violence? Public spending? Inflation? Debt? Rights? And how will the answers to these questions affect the country's political stability and democratic development in the long term? Despite the progress Brazil has made in recent decades, there are still just as many questions to answer. But if you're Brazilian, maybe it's time to enjoy the world stage while you're at it. Not all countries have this possibility, but it is how the Brazilian people handle it that will determine the future of the country.