Realism under Hegemony: Theorizing the Rise of Brazil
What light can international relations theory shed on how developing countries such as Brazil have achieved regional leadership and international influence? This comprehensive examination of Brazilian foreign policy over the last few decades argues that Realism provides a better account of Brazil’s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Politics in Latin America |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/jpla/article/view/961 |
| _version_ | 1828467810717663232 |
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| author | Kurt Weyland |
| author_facet | Kurt Weyland |
| author_sort | Kurt Weyland |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | What light can international relations theory shed on how developing countries such as Brazil have achieved regional leadership and international influence? This comprehensive examination of Brazilian foreign policy over the last few decades argues that Realism provides a better account of Brazil’s strategy than Liberalism and Constructivism. Despite changes of government and regime, Brasília has persistently pursued relative political gain, especially international influence. However, because this rising country has faced an established hegemon in the form of the United States, it has not been able to employ conventionally Realist instruments and tactics. Its subordinate position in the current power constellation has forced Brazil to forego political or military confrontation and instead use economic cooperation, both with the hegemon and its weaker neighbors. Through this collaboration, Brazil hopes to derive disproportionate benefits that will enhance its relative power. By elucidating these complex calculations, the present essay explains the Realist strategy that ambitious nations such as Brazil have pursued and helps design a version of Realism that captures recent power dynamics in the international system. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T04:12:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a581c4c2abff4fc7baefe19b6b2acc6f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1868-4890 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T04:12:27Z |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Politics in Latin America |
| spelling | doaj.art-a581c4c2abff4fc7baefe19b6b2acc6f2022-12-22T01:21:20ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Politics in Latin America1868-48902016-01-0182Realism under Hegemony: Theorizing the Rise of BrazilKurt WeylandWhat light can international relations theory shed on how developing countries such as Brazil have achieved regional leadership and international influence? This comprehensive examination of Brazilian foreign policy over the last few decades argues that Realism provides a better account of Brazil’s strategy than Liberalism and Constructivism. Despite changes of government and regime, Brasília has persistently pursued relative political gain, especially international influence. However, because this rising country has faced an established hegemon in the form of the United States, it has not been able to employ conventionally Realist instruments and tactics. Its subordinate position in the current power constellation has forced Brazil to forego political or military confrontation and instead use economic cooperation, both with the hegemon and its weaker neighbors. Through this collaboration, Brazil hopes to derive disproportionate benefits that will enhance its relative power. By elucidating these complex calculations, the present essay explains the Realist strategy that ambitious nations such as Brazil have pursued and helps design a version of Realism that captures recent power dynamics in the international system.https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/jpla/article/view/961Political ScienceInternational RelationsForeign Policy AnalysisBrazilforeign policyinternational relations300320321322BrazilWestern Hemisphere1900-2010 |
| spellingShingle | Kurt Weyland Realism under Hegemony: Theorizing the Rise of Brazil Journal of Politics in Latin America Political Science International Relations Foreign Policy Analysis Brazil foreign policy international relations 300 320 321 322 Brazil Western Hemisphere 1900-2010 |
| title | Realism under Hegemony: Theorizing the Rise of Brazil |
| title_full | Realism under Hegemony: Theorizing the Rise of Brazil |
| title_fullStr | Realism under Hegemony: Theorizing the Rise of Brazil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Realism under Hegemony: Theorizing the Rise of Brazil |
| title_short | Realism under Hegemony: Theorizing the Rise of Brazil |
| title_sort | realism under hegemony theorizing the rise of brazil |
| topic | Political Science International Relations Foreign Policy Analysis Brazil foreign policy international relations 300 320 321 322 Brazil Western Hemisphere 1900-2010 |
| url | https://journals.sub.uni-hamburg.de/giga/jpla/article/view/961 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kurtweyland realismunderhegemonytheorizingtheriseofbrazil |