Jair Bolsonaro’s diplomacy: dismantling traditional foreign policy of Brazil

2021; Volume: 8; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.46272/2409-3416-2020-8-3-35-42

ISSN

2658-5219

Autores

Marcelo Augusto Bezerra,

Tópico(s)

Brazilian History and Foreign Policy

Resumo

The author of the article under consideration analyzes Brazilian foreign policy in the period of the two years of Jair Bolsonaro’s government. According to predictions, introduction of the ultraright politician to power radically changed Brazil’s traditional foreign policy recognized for its independence, pragmatism and moderation. ‘Bolsonarist’ diplomacy led by chancellor Ernesto Araújo, following the agenda of the foreign policy of the United States, deconstructs the paradigms of Brazilian diplomacy, including the so-called ‘responsible pragmatism’ formulated by the government of president Ernesto Geisel (1974-1979) during the military dictatorship as one of the pillars of Brazil’s role on the world stage, including the 13 years of the center-left government of the Worker’s Party (2003- 2016). Thus, paradoxically, Jair Bolsonaro ignores the lessons of the military regime of which he is an admirer and an apologist. Despite that, however, Bolsonaro’s government has reaffirmed Brazil’s role in BRICS, responded to threats posed to Brazil’s sovereignty over the Brazilian Amazon and reaffirmed its decision not to join the IAEA Additional Protocol. Stripped of its alliance with ‘trumpism’, Brazil will face challenges in environmental and human rights areas with Joe Biden’s administration. Possible dismissal of Ernesto Araújo, being an object of discontent in agribusiness and in the military, political and diplomatic circles, may mean an ‘adjustment’, but it will not bring about significant changes in the foreign policy of ‘bolsonarism’.

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