Brazil has achieved an immense economic growth over the last decades and managed to enhance its influence regionally, in Latin America, and globally. Nevertheless, the country is plagued by social problems, corruption, crime and human rights abuses. This essay will discuss Brazil’s internal weaknesses and its role in global affairs as a regional power. Firstly, it will examine President Jair Bolsonaro’s stance on the environment and what threats does his outlook pose to the future of Brazil and the world dealing with the climate crisis. Secondly, the paper will analyze the country’s domestic problems, social inequality and human rights abuses. Thirdly, it will assess Brazil’s influence in the region and other developing countries and its relationship with the United States (US). Lastly, it will assess the future threats that the current global political climate may pose to the country.
Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s far-right president since 2019, is often compared to Donald Trump for his brutal honesty and ‘anti-establishment’ posturing. In contrast to his portrayed image, Bolsonaro enjoyed the backing from three well-established caucuses in Congress: the Christian right, the pro-gun legislators and the beef caucus. Bolsonaro is sceptic towards climate change and has slashed environmental protections to aid post-pandemic economic recovery. The rights of indigenous peoples and other traditional communities were systematically violated throughout the years. The Bolsonaro’s ideology sees global warming as a foreign leftist conspiracy intended to undermine Brazil’s power, which is a divisive discourse and may lead to country’s isolation. Most Brazilians are proud of the Amazon rainforest’s vastness and the rich diversity of both plants and native fauna. Yet, in a country which lacks basic sanitation, concerns about conservation take a backseat to other more pressing issues, such as violence, corruption and public health. Unfortunately, Brazilians have voted for decades for the politicians that implement policies which allow the destruction of the Amazon.
The country’s economic inequality, measured by Gini coefficient index, is among the highest in the world. According to the Trata Brasil Institute, nearly 35 million people still do not have access to clean water and 100 million have no sewage collection. The country has serious problems with crime, especially drug related gang violence. The corruption and police brutality are widespread, disproportionately affecting the black population. There is high school non-attendance due to the lack of school places, high examination failure rate and malnutrition, which affects intellectual development. The housing deficit is a major problem in cities and a lot of houses do not have proper utilities. The freedom of expression is restricted, and Brazil has the fourth highest number of killings of land rights defenders and environmental leaders in the world, according to the NGO Global Witness. The domestic violence rate and femicide is high, as well as the discrimination and physical attacks against the LGBTI community. Brazil needs to pay more attention to domestic problems, since human rights abuses can negatively affect its international image.
Brazil’s economic rise had led it to pursue greater influence in international forums and foster cooperation among countries in the developing world. It has forged strong ties with countries in Africa and Asia, particularly China, which is now its largest trading partner. Together with Russia, India, China and South Africa, Brazil is part of the BRICS group of leading emerging economies with significant influence on regional and global affairs. In 2004, Brazil has led the United Nations mission in Haiti, played a central role in the 2009 Honduran Crisis and was involved in the creation of both the Union of South American Nations and new forum of Latin American and Caribbean countries. Brazil’s agriculture research agency has an office in Ghana from which it aims to assist other African countries to find a solution to the continent’s food insecurity. Due to its strong economic position, the country is trying to cement a new global leadership role, to act as an agent of peace and stability.
While the US and Brazil share common goals for regional stability, both countries had some disputes on trade and political issues, such as whether to create the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). Brazil had also opposed the war in Iraq and the US embargo on Cuba. However, the two countries have cooperated on a range of bilateral and regional issues, particularly energy security. Other efforts both countries engage in are counternarcotic and counterterrorism, human rights, the fight against HIVAIDS and the environment. The benefits of a strong Brazil are that it can be a great partner on energy and regional security initiatives.
The external factors, such as disruption of supply chains due to the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, will likely weigh on the currency and global demand. Although Brazil’s total imports from Russia and Ukraine are less than 3%, it won’t remain insulated from the conflict’s impact on the global economy. Like everywhere in the world, food and energy-related inflation is rising threatening the welfare of the poor. The real GDP growth reveals that the industry subtracted from growth, which means that production and investments have been subdued. Disruptions of trading routes around the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov will likely increase logistical challenges, resulting in delayed delivery and will add the inflationary pressure for goods. Any global slowdown will hit demand for Brazil’s exports, affecting the country’s economic growth.
In conclusion, Jair Bolsonaro’s far-right stance, and disregard for environmental protections for the world’s largest rainforest, have damaged the country’s image and may pose a threat to the entire planet. The climate crisis talks cannot progress effectively unless the country controlling most of the Amazon is on board and willing to negotiate. In addition, the country is still dealing with a multitude of social problems that need attention. Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America and its various global initiatives have turned it into a powerful actor on the international stage. Brazil has successfully collaborated with the US on fighting drug related crime and violence that enhanced its image as a stabilizing force in Latin America. Nevertheless, the pandemic and Russia and Ukraine conflict may cause the global slowdown, and just like most countries, Brazil is not immune to economic disturbances.