Brazilian Foreign Policy and Human Rights: Change and Continuity Under Dilma - Par Engstrom

Abstract

 

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Brazilian Foreign Policy and Human Rights: Change and Continuity Under Dilma

Par Engstrom 

Human Rights Consortium, School of Advanced Study, University of London; Institute for the Study of the Americas

Critical Sociology, Forthcoming 
Abstract:     
This article evaluates the degree of policy change and continuity at the intersection of human rights and foreign policy in the early period of the Dilma Rousseff administration in Brazil. The smooth character of succession of power in Brazil that Dilma’s election represented suggests significant policy continuity with her immediate predecessor Luis Inácio Lula da Silva. In the area of human rights, however, there have been some early indications of policy shifts. Four particularly salient dimensions of both change and continuity in the areas of human rights and foreign policy are examined: (i) Brazil’s role as an advocate for global governance reforms; (ii) its efforts to foster South-South relations; (iii) the character of Brazil’s power projection; and (iv) its regional leadership role. The article also evaluates the emergence of Brazil as a pivotal player in global governance and assesses the implications for the engagement with international human rights by Brazilian foreign policy. Brazil will have to manage increasing expectations that the country should play a more active and forceful role in shaping the development of the international human rights regime.
Number of Pages in PDF File: 39
Keywords: Brazil, Dilma, foreign policy, human rights, Lula, rising power
Accepted Paper Series

Date posted: February 14, 2012  

Suggested Citation

Engstrom, Par, Brazilian Foreign Policy and Human Rights: Change and Continuity Under Dilma (January 1, 2012). Critical Sociology, Forthcoming. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2004305