policy-briefing-6-9b80d5ab9a88a485.pdf

This policy briefing analyzes the evolution of Brazilian foreign policy in the 21st century, specifically under President Luiz 'Lula' da Silva. It examines Brazil's efforts to balance its role as a regional leader in South America with its ambitions as a global player, emphasizing its commitment to multilateralism, the reform of international institutions, and the use of soft power to promote democratic governance.

• Under President Luiz 'Lula' da Silva, Brazil has pursued an active foreign policy focused on expanding its influence in global economic negotiations, multilateral institutions, and regional affairs by deepening ties with both industrialised economies and the emergent South.
• Brazil advocates for a multipolar international system and the conceptual revision of global structures, specifically seeking a permanent seat on the UN Security Council as part of the G4 (with Germany, Japan, and India).
• In South America, Brazil has shifted from a principle of non-intervention to acting as a peace broker and stabilising force, promoting democratic institutions and values to manage regional political turbulence.
• Brazil's global economic strategy involves liberalising its economy while maintaining industrial development strategies, with a specific focus on addressing market access and trade distortions for agricultural goods, notably through the G20 group of developing nations created at the 2003 Cancun Ministerial.
• Brazil maintains a balanced relationship with the United States, avoiding full alignment with US security policies—such as opposing the invasion of Iraq—while providing discreet support for the war against terrorism.
• Brazil has increased its military capabilities and regional security coordination, including a 29.8% increase in its defence budget over the last decade, a total force of 342,300 personnel, and the support of the South American Union (UNASUR) and its South America Defence Council.
• Brazil's international presence has been marked by peacekeeping activities, most notably assuming military command of the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in 2003.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). policy-briefing-6-9b80d5ab9a88a485.pdf. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-6.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. policy-briefing-6-9b80d5ab9a88a485.pdf. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-6.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=policy-briefing-6-9b80d5ab9a88a485.pdf |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-6.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndpolicybriefing69b80d5ab9a88a485pdf, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{policy-briefing-6-9b80d5ab9a88a485.pdf}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Policy-Briefing-6.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }