Recovering from the severe economic and political crises in the mid-1960's, Brazil has since burst onto a growth trajectory unmatched by any country in the Western hemisphere. The events and political struggles which precipitated the military coup of April 1964 had at first ushered in a period of recession and import squeeze more serious than the earlier crises. After some initial trials and contradictory policies, Brazil has thrust itself Into an era in which the previously regarded bottlenecks—trade, Inflation, and wage policy, as well as the rule of a civilian government—have all been apparently shattered.