Debunking the myth of Brazilian subimperialism during Lula and Dilma’s governments

Abstract

This article conducts an in-depth analysis of key trends in Marxist dependency theory, emphasising its core principles. The central theme is the concept of subimperialism and its significant influence on Brazil’s global strategy during the Workers’ Party (PT) administrations from 2003 to 2016. Despite widespread discussion of subimperialism, there remains a notable lack of critical examination. This study addresses this gap by engaging with and critically analysing the seminal texts that link Brazil’s foreign policy to subimperialism. The research involves a detailed review, critical discussion, and thorough analysis of these pivotal texts, aiming to deepen understanding of the topic. The primary hypothesis challenges the adequacy of the subimperialism framework for categorising Brazil’s foreign policy during the specified timeframe, also arguing that some aspects of the systemic perspective inherent in the concept does not align with the actual material conditions of the contemporary global order.