In 1979, Burns co-edited a collection with Thomas Skidmore titled Elites, Masses, and Modernization in Latin America, 1850-1930. In his essay within this volume, Burns argues that the Brazilian elite’s attempts at modernisation— modelled on European capitalism— did not alter the foundational structures of Brazilian society, such as land ownership. He explains that the Portuguese land system, established in Brazil in 1532, ingrained a societal and economic structure based on land concentration, shaping both the elite and the lower classes. As landowners pursued modernisation in the mid-19th century, widespread dissatisfaction arose, exacerbating economic hardship for the population. Burns posits that Brazil’s political violence is a reflection of this deep-rooted cultural conflict.

In evaluating Bradford Burns' research on Brazil, it’s evident that he emphasises Portugal’s crucial role in shaping the territorial unity of the country. Unlike its Spanish-colonised neighbours, Brazil remained united and did not fragment after independence. This question of Brazil's post-independence cohesion has been a major topic in Brazilian historiography. For Burns, the explanation lies in the ways the Portuguese colonial government organised and consolidated economic, political, and cultural space, particularly during the period of the royal family’s stay in Brazil.

In the late 1970s, Burns expanded his focus to Central America, where he sharply criticised US intervention in El Salvador. In the 1980s, he published (1987), another incisive critique of US policy, this time directed towards Nicaragua. These critiques drew a personal and public response from President Ronald Reagan. This shift in Burns’ research from Brazil to Central America reflected the profound impact of Latin American political events on US domestic politics.

Burns was a meticulous researcher, often incorporating films and photographs as historical documents alongside traditional sources. His interests consistently centred on themes such as nationalism, imperialism, dependency, and popular culture. A key contribution of his work was his analysis of culture as a driver of economic modernisation, exploring how the cultural foundations of elites could either foster or hinder progress beyond structural dependency. This perspective supported dependency theory, which argues that land concentration not only intensifies societal conflicts but also deepens cultural divides and political violence.

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