Dissertations and Theses
Date of Award
2023
Document Type
Thesis
Department
International Relations
First Advisor
Jean Krasno
Keywords
inequality, socioeconomic inequality, violence, Brazil
Abstract
As a dominant economic powerhouse in Latin America, Brazil paradoxically exhibits profound socioeconomic divides and egregious rates of violence. This study seeks to illuminate the extent of the intricate relationship between Brazil's inherent inequalities and its propensity for violence by employing a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The study focuses on the years from 2002 to 2021, a period characterized by pivotal social, economic, and political transformations. Utilizing the United Nations definition of homicide as a primary measure of violence, I collected data from Brazilian health repositories for all 27 federative unit's annual reported number of homicides. The research findings, derived from a beta regression analysis, postulate a direct correlation between the prevalence of violence and markers of socioeconomic inequality, such as the Gini index, illiteracy rates, infant mortality, Municipal Human Development Index (HDI), and poverty levels. In addition, the beta regression furthers this understanding by mapping causal, robust relationships. Brazil's unique position as the most economically advanced nation in Latin America, juxtaposed with its persistent challenges of inequality and violence, underscores the urgency of addressing these intertwined issues for a sustainable future. This thesis augments academic discourse and offers valuable insights for potential policy direction and targeted interventions to confront the root causes of inequality and violence in Brazil.
Recommended Citation
Forsyth, Kimberly, "Inequality and Violence: The Case of Brazil" (2023). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/1101