512 years after the discovery of Brazil, the imaginary line separates a rich country.

The ethnic cleansing practiced by President Dilma Rousseff, who since last year has begun to dismiss ministers, is now associated with the recent challenge to tame rebellious allies in Congress and has raised her popularity to record levels.

Though the City of São Paulo was once dominated by rap, the periphery is invaded by the sound created in the hills of Rio, April 2012

Antonio Sérgio Alfredo Guimarães is a professor of sociology at the University of São Paulo.