policy-briefing-13-1d859923fbb34a64.pdf

This policy briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the historical evolution of Brazil's regional identity and its transition toward becoming a regional power. It argues that Brazil historically distinguished itself from 'Latin America'—which it viewed as synonymous with Spanish America—and has only recently shifted its foreign policy focus toward active engagement and leadership within South America.

• Historically, Brazil did not identify with the concept of 'Latin America,' which was viewed as a construct of Spanish American and French intellectuals to foster unity against Anglo-Saxon influence. Brazilian intellectuals of the 19th and early 20th centuries felt separated from Spanish America by language, history, culture, and political institutions, such as the fact that independent Brazil was an empire.
• Brazil maintained a historically close and supportive relationship with the United States, often aligning with US interests more than with those of its Spanish American neighbors. This included supporting the US at all eight Pan-American conferences between 1889 and 1938 and being the only country to follow the US in declaring war on Germany during the First World War.
• The perception of Brazil as part of Latin America was largely driven by the United States, particularly from the 1930s onward through the Cold War, to serve US economic and geo-political interests. This led to the creation of institutions like the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA/CEPAL) in 1948, though Brazil often felt disappointed to be treated as just one of many countries in the region.
• Between 1961 and 1980, Brazil pursued a more independent foreign policy, engaging with the 'underdeveloped third world,' including Africa, Asia, and revolutionary Cuba. Despite significant economic growth (averaging 7% annually between 1940 and 1980) and population growth (from 35 million in 1930 to 170 million in 1980), Brazil initially resisted taking a leadership or 'sheriff' role in the region.
• Under the presidencies of Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva, Brazil shifted its focus toward South America rather than the broader Western hemisphere. This led to the 2000 summit of South American presidents in Brasília and the 2004 formation of the South American Community of Nations, which became the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) in May 2008.
• The document recommends that Brazil balance its regional and global ambitions, maintain paramount relations with the United States, and focus regionally on South America. It specifically suggests a pragmatic approach to Venezuela to provide a 'non-radical path' for the region in response to Venezuela's Bolivarian project (ALBA).

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). policy-briefing-13-1d859923fbb34a64.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Policy-Briefing-13.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. policy-briefing-13-1d859923fbb34a64.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Policy-Briefing-13.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=policy-briefing-13-1d859923fbb34a64.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Policy-Briefing-13.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndpolicybriefing131d859923fbb34a64pdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{policy-briefing-13-1d859923fbb34a64.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Policy-Briefing-13.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }