The US, Brazil and Latin America: the dynamics of asymmetrical regionalism

ABSTRACT

Until its recent crisis, Brazil’s rise, combined with seeming US decline and distraction, led observers to declare South America a ‘post-hegemonic’ region. How have US and Brazilian ambitions and capabilities affected the countries’ relations within the shared neighbourhood of the Western Hemisphere? Building on work by Womack, B. [2016. Asymmetry and international relationships. New York: Cambridge University Press], the article analyses the US-Brazil-South America relationship as a regionally located, asymmetrical triangle. During two centre-left presidencies, Brazil sought to shift the dynamics of the hemisphere’s soft triangles. Brazilian diplomacy redefined its neighbourhood as South America, developed exclusive regional groupings, and assumed the role of pivot to shape relationships between the US and South America. In the face of sceptical neighbours and weakened Brazilian capabilities, the regional triangle is likely to return to a more ‘normal’ configuration in which the United States acts as a central, albeit often uninterested, pivot.

KEYWORDS:

• Asymmetry
• Brazil
• United States

Acknowledgements

The author would like to express appreciation for feedback from the editors of the special issue, the journal editors, two anonymous reviewers, and the participants in the ‘Major Powers in Shared Neighbourhoods’ event at the College of Europe, Bruges. Special thanks is due to Alfredo G. A. Valladão for his insightful comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Tom Long is Assistant Professor of New Rising World Powers at the University of Warwick and Affiliated Professor at the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas in Mexico City. His work focuses on the dynamics of asymmetry in international relations, particularly in the Americas. He is the author of Latin America Confronts the United States: Asymmetry and Influence (Cambridge University Press, 2015), as well as articles in International Security, International Studies Review, International Politics, Diplomatic History, Latin American Research Review, The Latin Americanist, and Foro Internacional. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from American University.

ORCID

Tom Long http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5864-2941

Notes

1 Crosscutting asymmetries exist work in South America; while Brazil has the largest economy, population, and landmass, it is far from having the highest per capita income or economic productivity.

2 X, at the top of the triangle, represents the most powerful state. Y, at the bottom left, is next most powerful. Z, at bottom right, is least powerful.

3 This was most strongly challenged during the Goulart presidency and ensuing coup and the Carter administration’s tense relations with the military dictatorship.