Abstract for:The roots of Brazilian social holocaust

The paper discusses the causes of the replication of low human development in Brazil, paying particular attention to extractive institutions. It also discusses the consequences of living in a very unequal society and the reasons the status quo does not change, in particular the narrative (mindware) control exerted by the beneficiaries of historical rent seeking processes. Brazil has been trapped in an unsustainable dynamics, in which limits to growth have been reached and unpleasant consequences can be expected in the near future. The paper presents three scenarios representing possible outcomes for the evolution of current dynamics, including a full-blown, Greek-style crisis.