https://cesi-italia.

org/en/articoli/506/brazils-soft-power-as-a-tool-for-world-power-emerging-
process

Brazil is being referred to as an emerging world power more frequently as we move into the
21st century. Its economy has risen to be in the top ten internationally and Brazil has started
to make a name for itself on the international stage. A unique aspect of Brazil’s rise is its
abundance of soft power. Soft power is defined as a persuasive approach to international
relations, in which a country uses its economy or cultural influence to motivate other
countries to cooperate. This is in contrast to hard power which is the use of force or threats
of potential force. Brazil is one of the few rising powers with a lack of hard power; however
they have managed to stay relevant through their soft power.
Brazil has always been influential throughout South America because of its territorial size,
wealth of resources, economy and large population.
Unlike many other emerging powers, Brazil seems to have few to no enemies. Within South
America they have no territorial disputes or rivals. Much of this is due to the countries
approach to international relations. In Article 4 of the Federal constitution the guidelines are
set for how Brazil should approach other countries, which is non-intervention, self-
determination, international cooperation and the peaceful settlement of conflicts. Brazil
learned a lot from its early dealings with America and how it intervened in their country
like many others. From being on the other side of a super power, Brazil has taken the
opposite approach most likely because they know how it feels to be the “inferior” country.
Instead of force, Brazil sets its personal agenda through helping its neighbors and trying to
find ways to benefit both of them.
One way that Brazil builds strong relationships with other South American countries is by
having Brazilian political strategists assist candidates in other countries in their campaigns.
They will back a candidate and then use the success of Brazilian democracy to help a foreign
candidate appeal to a larger constituency. This has worked with presidents and politicians
of Peru, Venezuela, El Salvador and Paraguay. By establishing a strong connection with the
leader, Brazil can then start to work with the other countries to expand business,
infrastructure and overall its influence in the region. The consultants have also been able to
help moderate some of the more extremist South American leaders and shift the focus to the
voters. Leadership has shifted from the U.S. to Brazil now when it comes to who Latin
America looks to follow.
Brazil has also strengthened its relations in South America through trade organizations, and
has pointedly left out the U.S. in some of these organizations. Brazil is not afraid to step out
from under American policy after years of American agenda setting. Now that Brazil feels
comfortable within its own continent it has started to become a larger player in international
relations. One way Brazil has gotten involved internationally is through joining many
organizations such as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), G-15, G-20, G-
24, G-5, G-77 international groups. BRICS is an economic organization that links the main
emerging powers in the World. The members all have large economies and are advanced
countries, but they have often been left out when it comes to major international decisions in
the past. Each of the other groups listed above have their own specific purpose like
industrial countries, developing countries, etc. These groups help expand Brazil’s economy
and soft power to other parts of the World.