Dale Elizabeth Merriman on the International Migrant’s Day, celebrated today (12/18/08), and what to expect from an Obama administration – as far as immigration rights and reform.

Brazilian parties have long been believed to be among the weakest in Latin America, hobbled by shallow roots in the electorate, high rates of electoral volatility, and unfaithful politicians. Yet, contrary to the conventional wisdom, party-oriented legislators have emerged and party discipline has been on the rise since the early 1990s.