The article discusses the origns and historical transformations of a central theme in debates related to economic development in contemporary Brazil: the causes and the forms of solving the so called "custo Brasil". I analyse here the different uses of this expression that were made by specific institutions and agents, the results obtained and how these relate with contemporary historical conjuncture and Brazilian political culture.
"custo Brasil"; culture of public affairs; political culture; culture and power; public discourse theory; entrepeneurial political action; constitutional reforms