When diplomacy meets academia: diplomatic non-fiction in Brazil

Abstract

This article critically examines the intersection between diplomacy and academic scholarship in Brazil, with a particular focus on the role of myths in shaping both fields. Through a mythographic approach, the study explores how foundational narratives, particularly those centred around Itamaraty and its diplomats, have influenced the epistemological boundaries of Brazilian international relations (IR). The article ­introduces the concept of ‘diplomatic non-fiction’ to categorise the intel­lectual output of diplomats, arguing that this genre occupies a distinct space between academic analysis and practitioner narratives. By analysing how diplomatic narratives have been integrated into academic discourse, often without sufficient critical scrutiny, the study highlights the need for a clearer distinction between these two forms of knowledge production. This distinction is crucial for avoiding analytical blind spots that may arise from the uncritical acceptance of diplomatic perspectives in academic research. The article concludes by advocating for a more nuanced and reflexive engagement with diplomatic contributions, aiming to enrich the field of IR by encouraging a critical approach to the interplay between diplomacy and academia.