From the introduction:

Having a very strong connection to both German and Brazilian culture and history, the author will use this short paper to share some insights, situations and historical knowledge that he have gained over his lifetime and that might help others to look at Brazil – and other places – from a different perspective.

The paper was conceived prior to the TLS during the very polarized atmosphere of Brazil’s 2018 general election. Between then and the publication of this article the result of the election will have become clear and many things may be changing because of decisions, policies and attitudes of the new Parliament, new Governors and a new President but also because of other national and international events. The content was not (and will not be) revised to reflect the consequences of the outcome of the elections as it was meant to create an understanding of where Brazil stood in 2018 and how it got there.