The world after the West: Matias Spektor on Brazil
Aug 2, 2024
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Matias Spektor, a bestselling author and professor specializing in Brazilian foreign policy, dives deep into Brazil's role in the new global order. He discusses Brazil's moral stance amid shifting global power dynamics and critiques Western hypocrisy regarding democratic values. Spektor also highlights Brazil's unique approach to the Ukraine conflict, advocating for negotiations over military interventions. Additionally, he sheds light on Brazil's strategic engagement with Europe and recommends insightful reads that capture the complexities of contemporary Brazilian society.
Brazil perceives its participation in BRICS as a vital opportunity to enhance its voice and representation in a multipolar world.
Despite concerns about instability, Brazil advocates for diplomatic solutions and aims to reshape international norms while addressing global conflicts.
Deep dives
Cognitive Dissonance in Global Perspectives
There exists a significant cognitive dissonance between how Brazil views international institutions like BRICS and how Western countries perceive them. While Western nations often see BRICS as a challenge to the existing global order and an attempt to replace the G7, Brazil views it as an opportunity to gain a voice in global affairs. This distinction reflects a broader recognition among many Global South countries that the unipolar moment dominated by the U.S. and its allies has resulted in a power imbalance and misuse of authority within international relations. Therefore, Brazilian and other non-Western leaders view the emergence of a multipolar world as a positive development that can help balance power dynamics and prevent the strong from solely dictating terms to the weak.
Brazil's Aspirations in a Multipolar World
Brazilians generally embrace the transition from a unipolar to a multipolar world, acknowledging it as an opportunity for greater representation and influence. They recognize that institutions like BRICS provide a platform for Brazil to engage with other major powers on equal footing, such as China and India, thus enhancing its global stature. This involvement is perceived as a pathway to a world where previously marginalized voices can contribute to the policymaking process, ultimately leading to a more balanced international system. Though there are concerns about potential instability associated with multipolarity, Brazilian elites often see their role in organizations like BRICS as a means to increase both political influence and prestige.
Brazil’s Stance on Global Conflicts
In the realm of international diplomacy, Brazil has adopted a proactive approach to address significant global conflicts, advocating for negotiation and political solutions. Despite condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine, Brazil emphasizes that there can be no sustainable resolution without including Russia in diplomatic talks, arguing for an immediate ceasefire. On the issue of Gaza, Brazil has aligned itself with South Africa to challenge perceived double standards in Western responses to conflicts, highlighting a broader agenda of addressing hypocrisy in global politics. These positions illustrate Brazil's desire to exert its influence as a mediator while promoting a narrative that reflects its values, thus contributing to the reformation of the current international order.
Brazil is a middle-power powerhouse. The largest and most populous country in Latin America, this founding member of BRICS+ wields strong cultural, economic, and diplomatic influence among other middle powers and beyond. No assessment of non-Western powers would be complete without a trip to Brazil.
In this episode of our special Re:Order series, Mark Leonard welcomes bestselling author on Brazilian foreign policy, Matias Spektor, who isfounder and professor at the School of International Relations at Fundação Getulio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro, to discuss Brazil’s role in the new global order. How does the country’s past inform its diplomatic morals and norms today? What international institutions are central to Brazil’s identity and to what extent are they a reaction or complementary to Western-led formats?
This podcast is part of Re:Order and was produced with support from Stiftung Mercator.