Fiscal austerity and the financing of education in Brazil

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the repercussions of fiscal austerity in Brazil, especially in the field of education financing. For this, a conceptual discussion on austerity is undertaken, its working logic, its myths and hidden interests behind this conception of economic policy is initially made. It then shows how austerity in Brazil is a longterm project instituted by Constitutional Amendment 95 that will affect the financing of public education both by the new constitutional minimum rule and by the dispute of resources with other social areas. Finally, we present the recent budgetary data which shows the impacts that austerity has already provoked in the field of public education.