Link: http://www.marketplace.org/2016/03/21/world/what-made-brazil-s-economy-bust
Summary: Brazil was an emerging economy and a member of the BRICS. However, in March 2016 a huge corruption scandal exploded into an economic crisis and demand for the impeachment of the president followed by a political regime change. Marketplace looks into how Brazil changed course of progress in the last 10 years.
Original Air Date: March 21, 2016
Length: 3 mins 53 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/06/19/415804477/episode-634-worst-case-scenario
Summary: The Planet Money team investigate current problems in our economy that could create the next economic crisis.
Original Air Date: July 19, 2015
Length: 16 mins
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/01/22/265014932/episode-511-rule-breakers
Summary: Planet Money presents three stories that revolve around the theme of ‘Rule Breaking.’ This three episode mash-up considers how people in Indonesia navigate horrendous traffic, how the U.S. illegally subsidizes cotton farmers and how banks decide to accumulate huge risks.
Original Air Date: January 22, 2014
Length: 16 min
Summary: Presentation of the origins of the introduction of the Brazilian Real in 1994.
Original air date: October 1, 2010
Length: 29:56
Main story content begins: 3: 27
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2011/01/26/130917279/the-friday-podcast-cotton-wars
Summary: Presentation of the trade war in the cotton market between Brazil and the U.S. Part of a series of podcasts inspired by Pietra Rivoli’s “Travels of the T-Shirt”
Original air date: October 29, 2010
Length: 31:28
Main story content begins: 1:45
Discussion Prompt: The US is the largest exporter of cotton—thanks to government subsidies—and is in direct competition with Brazil. Discuss how subsidies and protectionist acts by the government impact industries and consumers in the United States and in Brazil, and whether you agree with these policies by the U.S.
Written Assignment Prompt: In the podcast, Pedro describes the US as breaking the ‘rules’—which refers to a WTO agreement that Brazil, the US, and many other countries signed. Brazil fights back and wins! Sort of. Imagine you are a member of the WTO ruling on decisions such as these. Considering the outcome and impacts of this case in particular: how much power do you have over making rulings and forcing countries to follow them? Is there a way to make the US and others in violation of WTO rules comply?
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