BRAZIL

FOREIGN POLICY DURING THE

TRANSITION (1985-1994)

Itamarati Palace – Brasilia(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Short-lived triumph of Trancredo Neves◦ Split between

Northeast traditionalists and business community of São Paulo

◦ Neves respected opposition politician

◦ Following the death of Neves military fearful of domestic insurgency

 

President of Brazil (1985-1989)

a second accidental presidency◦ Led ARENA political

party in the senate during military regime

◦ Broke with military party when he was not selected as its candidate for president

◦ “Political Godfather” of the Northeast

Transitory economic recovery Economic downturn 1986-87 Writing a new constitution (1987-88)

◦ Constitutional convention dominated by traditional political class

◦ Two rounds of voting for president if no candidate has first round majority

◦ Senate & Chamber of deputies favors traditional areas of the country

Latin America◦ Contadora Support Group participation◦ Resumption of relations with Cuba◦ Brazil – Argentina Common Market Agreement

(1988) Foreign Debt (come into line with IMF)

◦ Debt rescheduling◦ New loans

Dispute over Pharmaceutical Patents Information Technology Dispute Brazil & GATT (now WTO)

◦ Liberalized trade rebulations

New economic conditions made Vargas era “Autonomy through Distance” policy impossible

Conflictive elements in Brazilian foreign policy lead to search for better relations with Latin American neighbors

International pressure forced Brazil to modify its foreign and domestic economic to deal with economic crisis

Patterned on U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers

President elected directly by people Bicameral Congress

◦ Chamber of Deputies (513 members)◦ Senate:Three members from each state and the

Federal District (81 members) Supreme Court (power of judicial review)

Ministry of Foreign Relations responsible for handling foreign relations of Brazilian state◦ Known as Itamaraty◦ Itamaraty's scope includes: political,

commercial, economic, financial, cultural and consular relations

◦ In above areas it performs the classical tasks of diplomacy: represent, inform and negotiate

Based on Article 4 of the Constitution President has ultimate authority over

foreign affairs

Fragmented left coalesces◦ Brizola’s geographically constrained base◦ Lula and the PT make strides toward creating a

truly national political party

The Right hangs on ◦ GLOBO & Fernando Collor ◦ Regional leaders in control of congress

Fernando Collor (53%)

Luis Ignacio “LULA” de Silva (47%)

Color (highly personal)

Franco (Itamaraty regains

dominance)

Begins by developing close ties with Washington

Some foreign policy disagreements surface

Preserve good relations with USA

Deepen relations with other countries

USA no longer main focus of foreign policy

Color Franco (Celso Amorin – Foreign

Minister)

Mercosur◦ 1991◦ Treaty of Asuncion

Emphasis on economic benefits of Mercosur/Mercosul

Process of regional integration continued

Mercosur seeen as tool to counter USA “Free Trade for the Americas”

Ouro Preto Protocol converts Mercosur from free trade area to customs

Color Franco (Celso Amorin – Foreign

Minister)

Improve relations with USA

Brazil renounces military-industrial ambitions as set out during military dictatorship

Maintains commitments made by Collor

Interest in recognition as great power resurfaces◦ Push for permanent seat

on Security Council of U.N.

Color Franco (Celso Amorin – Foreign

Minister)

At GATT -adopts less defensive stance on new economic issues◦ Intellectual property◦ Services◦ Investments Improve

relations with USA

GATT policy of Color maintained

Pushes for a more free policy on agricultural commodities

Itamar Franco as a caretaker president◦ Another accidental presidency◦ Fernando Henrique Cardoso as architect of

economic recovery {Real Plan} Resounding victory over Lula

◦ Cardoso 54%◦ Luis Inacio “Lula” de Silva 27%