"Newsweek -February 1st, 1999 - about Brazilian economy"

"A tale of two countries" by Margolis. world Economy

"Brazilians at the bottom of the social pyramid have made some important gains over the last decades. These gains are not the work of any one government or of a social crusade but the gradual result of decades of economic growth, urbanization and the spread of the market economy. The poorest brazilian are taller, live longer and eat more protein than ever. All but a handful are enrolled in school, and fewer are dropping out. Thanks to stables prices, they now own goods that were once luxuries: color televisions, refrigerators, stoves, and washing machines.
Cardoso (the president at the time) knew that stopping inflation was only the bare beginning of true social reform. But What now, with the economy on the brink?