Evaluation of Brazil’s Grand Strategy

Historically, foreign policy has played a central role in Brazil’s development, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs focusing its efforts on defending national sovereignty, while constantly striving to reaffirm Brazil’s autonomy and establish the country as an independent power in the eyes of the world. During the 19th century and throughout most of the 20th century, Brazil opted to form close ties with the countries that led the way on the international arena as a means of achieving these goals. Since the 1970s, however, this so-called bandwagon policy has given way to one of soft balancing as the guiding principle of foreign policy. Whereas in the past these strategies were drawn up and implemented exclusively by the political elite, today Brazil’s foreign policy, like any other government policy, has come under the scrutiny of public opinion, which is wielding increasing clout. The end of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s term in office —one of the most active and visible periods of the grand strategy— is as good a time as any to pause and reflect on how Brazilians perceive this strategy in particular and their country’s foreign policy in general. This is exactly what Rodrigo Morales Castillo has done in his paper, which is based on the results of the Brazil, the Americas and the World 2011 public opinion poll on foreign policy issues and international relations. What he discovers is a parochial society, disconnected from the world and with little interest or knowledge of international affairs. The author concludes by commenting on how Brazilians see their country in a global context and the mandates they will be issuing to Itamaraty.