Política Externa Independente, from Geisel to Lula

Abstract

In the first decades of the 20th century, Brazil formed an ‘unwritten alliance’ with the United States. This changed when Brazilian governments began to focus on the country’s national development and Washington did not give anything back for Brazil’s loyalty. In 1961, Jânio Quadros launched the concept of Política Externa Independente, which really came into its own during the military regime, especially during Geisel’s government (1974-1979). In the middle of the Cold War, Brazil developed many new bilateral and multilateral relationships, including with communist countries. Some of his predecessors had been more aligned with Washington, and are considered entreguistas, while those developing an independent policy are called nacionalistas. This pendulum movement does also happen in times of democratic regimes. Cardoso was much more aligned to Washington, especially during his first mandate, while Lula really put Brazil on the world map.