In a nutshell, the article argues about similarities between Brazil sociopolitical landscape and that of other western powers (mostly US and EU). The similarities, it argues, are that the capitalist system consists of growth based on exploiting peripheral groups to the benefit of the elites. The repercussions are indeed clear: erosion of employment (e.g. the tipping system in the US, air quote "contractors" barely making minimum wage, multiple jobs to make ends meet, etc), a growing sense of disconnect between the people and government as an entity to drive social improvements, the rise of corporate lobbying, etc. Even if specifics are different, it seems easy to agree with the premise that first world countries are headed to the same fate of "endless frustration" that characterizes Brazilian socioeconomics and politics.<p>I think it's telling that the author felt the need to reach for Brazil as an allegory to avoid the tired capitalism-vs-socialism bickering that plagues discussions about economic policy and social inequality. Nobody wants to hear that their own capitalist pursuit of success is fundamentally perched on exploitation. It's less awkward to point and shake heads at Brazil.<p>In a way, Brazil is a perfect poster child of the sociopolitical ailments of the world: its inadequacies serve quite appropriately as caricatures of the inadequacies of the western world, but its society is so alienated that people can't even be bothered to attempt to mount a patriotic defense of its ways.