And later this month, Brazil will play host to a two-day summit of South American presidents. The brainchild of Cardoso, it is the first event of its kind and has been hailed here as the latest evidence of Brazil's blossoming role as a regional diplomatic leader. Whether it is Cardoso's popularity on the international stage, Brazil's economic leadership among developing nations or the country's emergence as the strongest diplomatic voice in its region, these are heady days for Latin America's largest and most populous country. We have to be taken seriously. It is extraordinary how much Cardoso has been invited to, and participates in, wider deliberations.
Several factors explain the shift in Brazil's reputation.
In addition to finally grappling with its legendary social inequities, it is also enjoying economic and political stability simultaneously, a rarity in its modern history. Another critical factor is that, led by Cardoso, Brazil's top-level officials stand out as arguably the nation's brightest in more than a generation. Throughout much of the 20th century, this lush, continent-size country famous for samba, soccer and sparkling beaches has also been known for monumental shortcomings in virtually every other area. It has been afflicted with military dictatorship and weak civilian leadership, seemingly intractable social problems and four-digit annual inflation rates. And that has made a huge difference.