Brazilian foreign policy: the dissimilar perceptions about Mercosul

Abstract

The election of Lula at the same period of the election of Néstor Kirchner and Tabaré Vasquez, opened the way for the building of expectations about Mercosul improuvement. However, this expectations has not taken place at all and the South-American dimension under Brazilian leadership has progressively became priority in Brazilian foreign policy. Its lacks have been concentrating the attention of many Brazilian scholars. With these concerns, one of the elements that limit the deepening of the block refers to the different perceptions and expectations about it that can be found inside the member countries that go beyond diplomatic corporation, other governmental agencies and political parties. The article evaluates the Mercosul case based on the analysis of the main ideas about integration initiatives, taking into account the ideas of Brazilian governmental actors – mainly in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – since the 80ties until today. It is divided in four parts: the presentation of the perceptions about the integration process that go beyond the Brazilian governmental apparatus; the description and analysis of the evolution of these ideas; the ideas that can be found during the government of Lula da Silva; and the conclusions.