Brazil’s Foreign Policy Priorities

Abstract

As Brazil has risen to become an increasingly significant regional and global player in a world undergoing significant transformations in terms of power balance, the subject of its aims, world-view and foreign policy strategies is becoming increasingly relevant. This article focuses on the most important themes and priorities in Brazil’s foreign policy orientation between 2003 and 2012 and connects these to the Brazilian government’s world-view, its view of Brazil’s role in the world, and to the main aims pursued by Brazil in its overall development strategy. I discuss how Brazil’s view of the world and its foreign policy priorities relate to the USA’s view and preferences, arguing that Brazil’s foreign policy priorities reflect the fact that the USA and the West in general are often seen as barriers to Brazil’s main aims. These are to achieve economic strengthening, a growing influence on the international political scene and a leadership position in South America, and through this to contribute to major changes in the global order.