The new motto implied a compact between Brazil's social classes. If the restless poor would keep law and order, the wealthy classes would strive for progress in the economy, providing needed new jobs. There was then, as now, almost no middle class. Recently the United Nations reported that Brazil's income differences are greater than in any other nation, except for a few countries in Africa.
Brazil's elite have managed to keep their wealth, even better than the similarly situated elites in other Latin American countries. For example, the recent election of a left-wing president (Lula da Silva) has not brought the benefits to the poor that many had hoped. Losing their usual power base of a conservative presidency, the wealthy have found other ways to block real reform in Brazil. The government continues to focus on Order (with showy crack downs on drugs in favelas) and on Progress (with big development projects - that often benefit elites more than the masses). Many ordinary Brazilians wonder if their own incomes will ever get better.
Far to the north, many Mexicans take direct action to improve their incomes. They cross the border to work in the United States. It makes one wonder why the same workers who could not find jobs in Mexico are able to find productive work in the US. The skills of the workers are the same, but the system is different. Unlike much of Latin America, the US economic system rewards initiative and hard work. It does not care much about the social class of the worker or about protecting elites from competition. In fact, US elites pay a substantially higher percentage of their income in taxes than do the poor or middle class. Yet the number of wealthy Americans continues to grow, as does the money earned by most US citizens. Any American can become wealthy. It is a land of opportunity.
In comparison, "Order and Progress" in Brazil seems long outdated. Like the United States, Brazil is a land of opportunity. It is a big, diverse country with many resources. But Brazil's record has never matched its potential. Perhaps a new motto for the nation would focus energies in a more productive direction. Instead of "Order and Progress" in the flag, a new motto like "Opportunity for All" could propel Brazil in the 21st century. Such a motto would lead to more minortiy hiring and obtaining of loans. It should help Brazilian lawmakers focus on greater equality in educational and medical services provided to all citizens. Brazil could finally be on the path to achieving the Opportunity that so far has seemed just out of reach.
