The Role of Foro de São Paulo in Brazilian Foreign Policy: a neoclassical realist analysis

• Název práce v češtině: The Role of Foro de São Paulo in Brazilian Foreign Policy: a neoclassical realist analysis
• Název v anglickém jazyce: The Role of Foro de São Paulo in Brazilian Foreign Policy: a neoclassical realist analysis
• Klíčová slova anglicky: Brazil, Latin America, foreign policy analysis, neoclassical realism, São Paulo Forum
• Akademický rok vypsání: 2015/2016
• Typ práce: diplomová práce
• Jazyk práce: angličtina
• Ústav: Katedra politologie (23-KP)
• Vedoucí / školitel: doc. Martin Riegl, Ph.D.
• Řešitel: skrytý - zadáno vedoucím/školitelem
• Datum přihlášení: 08.02.2016
• Datum zadání: 08.02.2016
• Datum a čas obhajoby: 09.02.2018 08:00
• Místo konání obhajoby: Jinonice - U Kříže 8, J3093, Jinonice - místn. č. 3093
• Datum odevzdání elektronické podoby: 05.01.2018
• Datum proběhlé obhajoby: 09.02.2018
• Oponenti: Mgr. Bohumil Doboš, Ph.D.
• Konzultanti: Nuno Morgado Valentim Albino, M.Pol.Sc., Ph.D.

Zásady pro vypracování

This prospective MA thesis attempts to conduct a scientific inquiry into the process of
formation of Brazilian foreign policy by the theory application/testing approach. It represents an
explanatory type of the research, because it seeks to explain the causal relationship between the
phenomenons, connecting causes with the outcomes. Its main goal is to understand the dynamics
behind particular foreign policy choices and to conclude whether a theory of neoclassical realism
is able to grasp the linking mechanisms between the long-term material independent variables,
intervening variables and actual outcomes of the foreign policy.
The general methodological approach of the prospective master thesis is qualitative. By
combining individual, domestic and international-level explanations through the variables of
neoclassical realism, it adopts a multivariate model of causation, typical for the qualitative
research . It is a single case study research. In terms of the techniques used to explain the 17
empirical case , the research will adopt the process tracing technique. As defined by Van Evera,
it “explores the chain of events of the decision making process by which initial case conditions
are translated into case outcomes ”. By focusing on the role of the particular Forum, the research 18
traces below the original level of analysis and focuses on a specific decision making dynamics by
investigating into the perceptions of actors, strategic calculations and the decisions of individual
political leaders (parties) involved in the political agenda of the Sao Paulo Forum and in the
formulation of Brazilian foreign policy at the same time. 19

Seznam odborné literatury

Bibliography
Almeida, Paulo Roberto de “Lula’s Foreign Policy: Regional and Global Strategies”. In Brazil under
Lula: Economy, Politics, and Society under the Worker-President, edited by Joseph L. Love and
Werner Baer. New York. Palgrave - Macmillan, (2009): 167-183.
Byman, Daniel L., and Kenneth M. Pollack. “Let Us Now Praise Great Men: Bringing the
Statesman Back In.” International Security Vol. 25, no. 4 (Spring 2001): 107-146.
Brazilian Foreign Policy Handbook, Brazilian Ministry of External Relations Bureau of Diplomatic
Planning, Brasilia, 2008
Foro de São Paulo. Full Collection of the Final Declarations and Resolutions [online] Available at:
http://www.midiasemmascara.org/attachments/007_atas_foro_sao_paulo.pdf and http://
forodesaopaulo.org/category/noticias/ [spanish, portuguese]
Klotz, Audie, and Deepa Prakash. Qualitative methods in international relations: a pluralist guide.
Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009.
Know the History of The Sao Paulo Forum, the Most Powerful Political Organisation in Latin
America. Inter-American Dialogue. May 23, 2013 [online] Available at: http://
theinteramerican.org/the-sao-paulo-forum-the-most-powerful-political-organization-in-latinamerica-timeline-1989-2013/
Rose, Gideon. “Review Article - Neoclassical Realism and Theories of Foreign Policy.” World
Politics Vol. 51, no. 1 (October 1998): 144-172.
Silva, Bruno de Paula Castanho e “The Sao Paulo Forum and the Development of Latin American
Regional Integration”( paper presented at the XXIInd World Congress of Political Science,
Madrid, 2012)
Taliaferro, Jeffrey W. “State Building for Future Wars: Neoclassical Realism and the ResourceExtractive
State.” Security Studies Vol. 15, no. 3 (July-September 2006): 464-495.
Van Evera, Stephen. Guide to methods for students of political science. Ithaca: Cornell University
Press, 1997.
Waltz, Kenneth. “International Politics is Not Foreign Policy.” Security Studies Vol. 6, no. 1
(Autumn 1996): 54-57.

Předběžná náplň práce

The proposed thesis attempts to investigate into the activities of the São Paulo Forum, the largest political organisation of the leftist parties in Latin America. In particular, it aims to answer the research question: What is the role of the São Paulo Forum in Brazilian foreign policy? by adopting the assumptions from the theory of neoclassical realism.
Working with variables of the theory, the research operates on three levels of analysis. On the individual level, it identifies and studies the top officials, Brazilian political elites, engaged in the agenda of the São Paulo Forum and the formulation of Brazilian foreign policy at the same time. On the domestic level, it looks for the correlations between the framework of the Forum and the foreign policy outcomes in Brazil, understanding the dynamics behind the decision-making process. On the international level, the research investigates the possible independent influence of the São Paulo Forum in shaping the balance of power in Latin America, particularly through the alliance formation.
In methodological terms, the research conducts a deep qualitative inquiry into a single case study of Brazilian foreign policy through the congruence procedures and process tracing techniques.

There are three main objectives in the thesis. It aims to identify and to study the Brazilian political elites engaged in the agenda of the São Paulo Forum and the formulation of Brazilian foreign policy at the same time. It also intends to unveil and observe the correlations between the initiatives agreed on SPF and the foreign policy outcomes in Brazil, understanding the dynamics behind particular foreign policy choices. Most importantly, this prospective research aspires to discern whether São Paulo forum can have independent results in Brazilian external political realm. In other words, to conclude whether Brazilian foreign policy choices are subordinate to the objectives of the São Paulo Forum.

This prospective research attempts to conduct a scientific inquiry into the process of formation of Brazilian foreign policy and to find correlations between the political agenda of São Paulo Forum and foreign policy outcomes in a particular country. Consequently, it implements a single case study technique (method), attempting to perform a deep inquiry into the Brazilian foreign policy as an individual empirical example. Through the application of a neoclassical realist framework, several hypothesis are created and then, tested.