In relation to our ongoing coverage of the rise of the BRIC economies, we’re grateful to present the following contribution on Brazil from Georges D. Landau, a professor of international relations from S. Paulo. One month before the elections on 3 October 2010, Brazil finds itself as a cross-roads. The most likely winner of these elections is Dilma Rousseff, president Lula’s former Chief of Staff, whose candidacy he created and lifted from a top hat: Pygmalion, as it were. It is a foregone conclusion that, if she wins – by a landslide in the first ballot, as expected – Lula will in fact continue to govern for another four years (2010-14), if not eight. The Brazilian people will in fact be voting for Lula, through Dilma’s intermediary. Thus, it is easy to appreciate the importance of Dilma’s campaign slogan: continuity. And yet while Lula’s system of government continues to prevail in Brazil, the rest of the world will move, and change. It is important to reflect on Brazil’s position, within this dynamic context, over the next few years.