A privatização das águas no contexto da contrarreforma do estado brasileiro
The article brings forward the so-called water reform in Brazil, as it was proposed by the federal government. It highlights its social, economic and environmental dimensions. Such a proposal intends to change the ways of controlling the access to water, in view of its privatization, as water is a natural resource that integrates every process of production, besides the fact that it is essential to preserve life. Because of that, the water reform is considered one of the actions of the counter-reform of the Brazilian state, according to the dominant interests in search of getting over the present crisis of capital.
Investimento direto estrangeiro e o desempenho das exportações brasileiras
Brazil, in the 1990s, assumed a remarkable position as a host of foreign direct investment. It is worth mentioning that the service sector received the highest proportion of foreign investment. This market seeking strategy was responsible for the growth of the Brazilian imports. The results are confirmed by the performance of foreign enterprises into different groups of activities. Those enterprises with majority of foreign capital have increased their imports the most from 1995 to 2000. Therefore, during the 1995-2000 period, this study does not support the view that foreign investment has directly improved the performance of the Brazilian exporting sector.
Athenian Democracy at War
Classical Athens perfected direct democracy. The plays of this ancient Greek state are still staged today. These achievements are rightly revered. Less well known is the other side of this success story. Democratic Athens completely transformed warfare and became a superpower. The Athenian armed forces were unmatched in size and professionalism. This book explores the major reasons behind this military success. It shows how democracy helped the Athenians to be better soldiers. For the first time David M. Pritchard studies, together, all four branches of the armed forces. He focuses on the background of those who fought Athens' wars and on what they thought about doing so. His book reveals the common practices that Athens used right across the armed forces and shows how Athens' pro-war culture had a big impact on civilian life. The book puts the study of Athenian democracy at war on an entirely new footing.