Presidential diplomacy in Brazil: Achievements and drawbacks
The article deals with the history of the presidential diplomacy concept in Brazil, contribution of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and presidents to the creation of the foreign policy concept and to the enhancement of Brazil’s stance in the world. It is shown that in the XX century the Brazilian Foreign Ministry, which is known as Itamaraty, was the strongest body among other executive governmental structures. Its chancellors developed foreign policy strategy and its structural changes reflected Brazil’s priorities. At the same time, heads of state were more focused on the national agenda. However, globalization, development of public diplomacy and appearance of new actors in the world politics turned many problems international and began to require more presidential efforts. Today, Itamaraty no longer has such strong positions as before and departs from its most important principle - neutrality - in foreign policy, but the presidents continue to return to the postulates of foreign policy developed by the ministry in the XX century.