Strategic Posture Review: Brazil

Monica Hirst | World Politics Review | 2009-09-29

In recent years, Brazil has put forward a more ambitious foreign policy with the aim of expanding the country's presence in global economic negotiations, multilateral institutions and regimes, and regional affairs. An active presidential diplomacy has spearheaded this approach, concerned with simultaneously deepening ties with the industrialized economies and the emergent South. Relations have been reshaped with the United States and the European Union, ties have been deepened with China and India, South-South multilateralism has been renewed, and an unprecedented presence in South America has been asserted. A diversified set of "external fronts" has also led to an innovative participation in global politics and economic forums. Nevertheless, Brazil still faces the constraints imposed by the structural asymmetries of the international system, along with the fact that it must deal with U.S. prominence in hemispheric affairs.

Monica Hirst examines Brazil's foreign policy and national strategy in this WPR Strategic Posture Review.

Subscribers can download this document by clicking on the download arrow below. Not a subscriber? Subscribe now, sign up for a free trial, or purchase this document on Scribd.