In 1987, the Brazilian government's decision to deny licensing of Microsoft's MS-DOS operating system led to the imposition of U.S. trade sanctions. This article examines the implications of the MS-DOS case for understanding the role of the state in newly industrializing countries and its relationship to local and foreign capital. It assesses the relevance of dependency theory, identifying its major contribution as the analysis of the structural conditions that affect the prospects for state action. Brazil's position of trade dependency created a convergence of interests between local exporters and the U.S. government that eventually changed the direction of Brazilian informatics policy.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Calicchio, Femando.1990. Interviewed in his capacity as Secretary General of the Brazilian Informatics Movement, Rio de Janeiro, July 27.
2.
Cardoso, Fernando Henrique and Enzo Faletto.1979. Dependency and Development in Latin America. Berkeley: University of California Press.
3.
Chaves, Antonio.1988. Software Brasileiro Sem Mistério. São Paulo: Julex Livros Ltda.
4.
Dantas, Vera.1987a. "Fim do Mundo." Data News (November 23):2.
5.
. 1987b. "Papai Noel." Data News (December 28):2.
6.
Data News.1987a. "MS-DOS: Novo Capitulo." (August 31):4.
Evans, Peter B.1979. Dependent Development: The Alliance of Multinational; State, and Local Capital in Brazil. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
11.
. 1986. "State, Capital, and the Transformation of Dependence: The Brazilian Computer Case." World Development14(7):791-808.
12.
. 1989. "Declining Hegemony and Assertive Industrialization: U.S.-Brazil Conflicts in the Computer Industry." International Organization43(2):207-238.
13.
Ezil Veiga da Rocha, José. 1992. Interviewed in his capacity as former Secretary of Informatics, Brasilia, June 22.
14.
Farnsworth, Clyde H.1987. "Reagan Imposes Punitive Tariffs Against Brazil ." New York Times (November 14):A38.
15.
Fregni, Edson. 1987. "Building Endogenous Data Capacities in Brazil." Pp. 143-151 in D. Riddle (ed.), Information Economy and Development. Bonn: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.
16.
Fregni, Edson and Josef Manasterski .1990. Interviewed in their capacity as former president and vice-president ofScopus, Sáo Paulo, August 16.
17.
Fujii, Hiroshi.1987a. "Acordo Cooperativo Distância Licenciamento do DOS." Data News (September 28):10.
18.
________. 1987b. "Retaliaçoães: O que Pensam as Entidades." Data News (November 23):10.
19.
_______. 1987c. "Retaliações, s6 em 1988." Data News (December 14):10.
20.
. 1987d. "Vale a Pena Vetar o Licenciamento do DOS?" Data News (December 14):10-11.
21.
Gereffi, Gary.1989. "Rethinking Development Theory: Insights from East Asia and Latin America." Sociological Forum4(4):505-534.
22.
Guaranys, José.1992. Interviewed in his capacity as representative of Abicomp , Rio de Janeiro, July 14.
23.
Herédia, Mari-Angela.1987a. "Com Base na Similaridade, SEI Veta o MS-DOS da Microsoft." Data News (October 5):6-7.
24.
. 1987b. "Veto au DOS Traz de Volta as Ameaças Norte-Americanas." Data News (October 12):6.
25.
. 1987c. "Retaliações: Agora Ficou Mais Difícil para o Pais." Data News (November 9):6.
26.
________. 1987d. "Novos Desencontros no Jogo das Retaliações." Data News (November 16):6.
27.
. 1987e. "Retaliações: Semana Agitada, sem Definição." Data News (November 23):6.
28.
. 1987f. "Na Constituinte, A Opçáo Verde-Amarela." Data News (November 23):7.
29.
. 1987g. "Presidente Sanciona Lei de Software Com Vetos." Data News (December 28):6.
30.
Hirschman, Albert O.1987. "The Political Economy of Latin American Development: Seven Exercises in Retrospection." Latin American Research Review22(3):7-36.
31.
Latin America Regional Reports, Brazil. 1987. "U.S. Threatens Trade Sanctions." (November 26): 4-5.
32.
. 1988. "Government Seeks to Avert U.S. Sanctions." (January 7):6 .
33.
Lemos, Salette.1987. "Soberania ou Interesse, o que Fala mais Alto?" Data News (November 23):6.
34.
Mahlmeister, Ana Luiza.1987. "Sistemas Operacionais Dividem os Fabricantes." Dados e Idéias (May):42-44.
35.
Marques, Ivan daCosta. 1990. Interviewed in his capacity as former president of Cobra, Rio de Janeiro, July 30.
36.
Riding, Alan.1986. "U.S.-Brazil Computer Dispute Brews." New York Times (May 5):D8.
37.
. 1987. "Brazil Exporters Move to Stop U.S. Sanctions." New York Times (November 23):D1, D5.
38.
. 1988. "Brazil Accepts One U.S. Software Product." New York Times (January 25):D8.
39.
Saur, Ricardo.1990. Interviewed in his capacity as former informatics advisor to President Sarney, Rio de Janeiro, August 10.
40.
Stallings, Barbara . 1990. "The Role of Foreign Capital in Economic Development." Pp. 55-89 in Gary Gereffi and Donald Wyman, eds., Manufacturing Miracles: Paths of Industrialization in Latin America and EastAsia. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
