Anna Ternova

27 September 2016
Global Ambitions and Frustrations
Brazilian policymakers have long believed that their country is destined to be a great
power due to its range and wealth of resources. The country saw itself more as a part of the
Western world in terms of culture, religion, and ideas about international law and society. It has
also benefited greatly from existing patterns of global order, and although it was not particularly
comfortable with this order in the long run, it would have liked to reform it rather than put an end
to it. In the decades after the creation of the New Republic, Brazilian foreign policy has evolved
in several directions; the region has become the top foreign policy priority, it has given growing
importance to seeking alliances with other rising powers in the Southern Hemisphere, and lastly,
has sought to expand its diplomatic presence in the world by being an increasingly vocal
supporter of changes to global institutions. Brazils assertiveness was increasing due to a much
stronger economy and was able to race ahead in the few years that the US and Europe fell into a
slump after the war and financial crisis.
Until the year 1900, Brazilian rulers hadnt even stepped foot in another South American
country, and in general did not pay much attention to their neighbors. Once the countries finally
started to interact in the early 1980s, an important treaty was signed by many of them creating
Mercosul, the Common Market of the South. Mercosul was based on the idea that removing
barriers between countries could help them participate more effectively in a globalized economy.
It aspired to be the worlds fourth-largest integrated market to help defend democracy.
Consequences of this treaty meant that Brazils borders had become gateways for migration and
crime, as well as trade. It soon brought troubles to the country including macroeconomic
instability due to devaluation in Brazil and collapse of the currency board in Argentina. Mercosul
was eventually merged with other countries to develop a cross-border infrastructure and allow
Brazil to seek a broader role in the region.
When Lula came into office, he stated that he wanted to give greater priority to regional
integration, meaning a Brazilian-dominated political bloc in South America. He increasingly
began to encourage going beyond Brazils traditional South American focus; this included
helping out nearby countries, such as the Caribbean Islands. Inside Brazil, however, Lulas
policies were criticized for giving insufficient importance to the defense of democracy and
human rights. Brazil also remained uncertain in assuming leadership of the region because many
Brazilians still found it difficult to see their country as a part of Latin America. This was mainly
due to drastic differences in history and culture from that of its neighbors. The countrys greater
prominence in world trade diplomacy was part of a larger push to make Brazil count in the
world. Efforts involved strengthening ties with the South, and maintaining good relations with
the US for a political balancing act between business and the left.
To be treated as a global force, Brazil had to rely on soft powerthe ability to get what
you want through attraction rather than coercion or payments. This is mostly because the
countrys army was small, and it had little incentive with few spare resources to invest in military

hardware. Brazils culturemusic, dance, football, and way of lifewas remarkably attractive
to outsiders, and its combination of a market economy, democracy and social progress was a
powerful example to the developing world. If economic growth picks up again and Brazil makes
the leap towards developed status, it is possible to see the country be accepted as a global power
on its own terms; but only if it ceases half-heartedly exercising leadership in South America.
Reflection
I wholeheartedly agree with the statement in this chapter that says Brazil could be the
global power it always envisioned if it took the necessary steps in order to lead South America.
For one, it is the largest country on the entire continent, so that is already a massive bonus. It has
maintained fair relations with its neighbors, so it is not in a poor social standing to propose any
kind of plan that would allow it to take leadership of the continent. Brazilians may believe that
they have severely different customs from their counterparts, but if all the countries banded
together, they could prove to be one hefty force with their diverse customs only increasing their
fortitude. Especially since each country has a relatively miniscule army size, by grouping
together, it would automatically increase the total size of their military.
The obvious benefit to having a strong, highly numbered military force is because other
nations will begin to treat you with a higher status, if not from respect, then from fear. There are
many countries that invoke fear and caution into other countries due to the size and strength of
their military. Russia and North Korea come to mind; there have been numerous World War III
scares and nuclear bomb threats from either country, none of which have come to fruition (yet).
Nonetheless, the US exercises great caution and tries their best to stay on their good side. This
is an extreme example of how a feared military force would be an asset to a country, but it shows
that the country will be taken more seriously because of it. It also brings an extra sense of
security to the citizens of the country itself. With the way Brazils past had been, the military
force would probably have corrupted from the inside, but if it didnt, many of its residents would
have felt safer and their impression of Brazil would have improved. Of course, millions (maybe
billions) would have to be invested in new defense dollars in terms of training and equipment,
but in the long run, the continent would have benefited greatly from the decision.