The goal of this paper is to discuss the distinctive aspect of Lula's Era in economic issues: the positive interactions between social and economic dimensions. The central hypothesis is that the social side of recent development strategy is defensible not only in moral grounds, but also is the best option in the difficult current context. The sections of the text are dedicated to discuss: the historical background; the transformations and the positive numbers during Lula's mandate (2003-2010); the worse performance and major challenges faced by Dilma's government (since 2011) and, finally, some ideas and priorities to renew and deepen this "social-developmentalism".
Lula's Era; development strategy; economic growth; social justice