The book “Roots of Brazil”, by Sérgio Buarque de Holanda, was released in 1936.
As the title says, the book investigates the origins of the formation of the Brazilian people. Therefore, Sérgio Buarque uses the sociological theories of the German Max Weber to compose his study.
This is an essential work to get to know Brazil together with “Casa Grande and Senzala”, by Gilberto Freyre and "Contemporary Formation of Brazil", by Caio Prado Júnior.
Chapter 1: Borders of Europe
In this chapter, the author analyzes the Iberian society, especially the Portuguese one. It concludes that one of the characteristic features of the Iberian peoples is the culture of personality. This consists of clinging to a person, rather than their titles or social standing.
The consequence of personalism will be a society that cannot organize itself. It takes an outside force that tells its members what to do in order for it to function.
In this way, social relationships are marked by the people for whom one has empathy, be it the blood or affinity family. Personalism, therefore, cuts across all social strata.
Obedience is also seen as a virtue among these peoples and that is why the concept of loyalty to a leader is so important, yet very flexible.
Chapter 2: Work and Adventure
Sérgio Buarque analyzes the two types that predominated in the colonization of Brazil: the worker and the adventurer.
The worker would be the type who plans the risks, launches into the project thinking in the long term and responsibly. For his part, the adventurer is the opposite: he seeks wealth easily and quickly, without having to put much effort into the task. He is a bold, reckless and irresponsible person.
Any attempt to enhance the work, as the Dutch did, either resulted in failure or was limited in scope.
Chapter 3: Rural Heritage
The structure of colonial society has rural roots and to this day we can see its influence on Brazilian society.
In this chapter, Sérgio Buarque comments on how the enslaving and adventurous mentality prevented the industrialization of Brazil throughout the 19th century.
It was very difficult for landowners to abandon the easy-earning mentality to industrial activity that required effort, technology and long terms. Thus, concludes the author, it is not surprising that Brazil only abolished slavery in 1888 and that the rural way of life has invaded the city.
Chapter 4: The Sower and the Tiler
In this chapter, the author compares the two Iberian colonizations in America: he identifies the Portuguese as the sower; and the Castilian, as the tiler.
The sower would be the one who occupies the land without planning and with no intention of remaining. Therefore, there is little concern for building cities and when they do it is sloppy.
The tiler, on the other hand, is concerned with transporting the route from the metropolis to the tropics, and for this reason, he does them carefully. Likewise, this reflects the degree of state interference in the colonial enterprise. While in the Portuguese colonies, the participation of the Crown is felt less, in the Spanish-American colonies, the government would have been more present.
Chapter 5: The Cordial Man
This is the most discussed chapter in the book and perhaps the most misunderstood.
The word “cordial” is generally used in the sense of being courteous. In this way, many thought that Sérgio Buarque used it as a compliment, stating that Brazilians were educated by nature.
However, Sérgio used the word in its etymological sense, that is: cordis, in Latin, means “heart”. Therefore, the cordial would be the human being who let himself be carried away by emotion, whose center is the heart. Unlike other peoples who were guided by their brains, by reason, Brazilians would be ruled by their passions. Other scholars affirm that Sérgio Buarque de Holanda was being ironic, as Brazilians would have nothing to be cordial (polite and courteous).
Personalism is the essence of the “cordial man”, as he prefers to build bonds of friendship before making a deal, for example.
Likewise, relations with the government would only take place through these links and would benefit those who have the right contacts with the public authority.
Chapter 6: New Times
In the penultimate chapter, the author deals with liberalism and democracy in Brazil and states that they have always been a “misunderstanding” in the country. Social reform movements have always come from the top down, with elites driving change.
Sérgio Buarque de Holanda asserts that democratic liberalism presupposes impersonal dealings with rulers, something that Brazilians do not assimilate, as they prefer familiarity over distance required in positions public.
One example would be calling politicians by their first name, and the use of nicknames and nicknames for them.
Chapter 7: New Revolution
The abolition of slavery is seen as a milestone, as it separates rural Brazil from urban Brazil. Landowners lost their influence in government, according to the author.
The installation of the Republic in Brazil was also done in an improvised way and he emphasizes that the same thing happened throughout South America:
Constitutions made not to be complied with, existing laws to be violated, all for the benefit of individuals and oligarchies, are phenomena current throughout the history of South America. [...] others used the motto “Freedom”, even more prestigious, while seeking to consolidate in its name a positively dictatorial and despotic power.
In this last chapter, Sérgio Buarque de Holanda says that Brazil will only have full democracy when there is a revolution made from the bottom up. It will also be necessary to accept the impersonality of democracy and that rights and duties are for everyone.
Works by Sérgio Buarque de Holanda
- Roots of Brazil (1936)
- Monsoons (1945)
- São Paulo expansion at the end of the 16th century and beginning of the 17th century (1948)
- Paths and Borders (1957)
- Paradise's vision. Edenic reasons in the discovery and colonization of Brazil (1959)
It is important to highlight that Sérgio Buarque de Holanda was the organizer of the collection General history of Brazilian civilization, a reference for the study of the History of Brazil.
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