This book discusses and assesses in detail the performance of the first Lula government in Brazil (2002-06), from different perspectives - as well as providing an economic appraisal of performance, the book also explores the issues from a political and social policy perspective. While the focus is on Brazil, the book also looks at the experiences of similar countries, both for comparative purposes and for evidence of the success or otherwise of this 'new' era for Brazil. The contributors include some of the most prominent economists in Brazil, making this book an extremely valuable resource for both macroeconomists and specialists on Latin America.