brazil foreign policy during the transition (1985- 1994)
TRANSCRIPT
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%