Relações internacionais no Século XXI: desafios ao poder naval brasileiro

Abstract

The soft power for international relations in the twenty-first century exacerbates the relevance of the Brazilian naval power employment in support to the foreign policy of Brazil. Relevant aspects mark the beginning of the XXI century, since the world has experienced an era of changes in the international system. The growing importance of some players that in the past had a reduced influence in the context of international relations, now they share the scenarios with powerful countries, contributing in this way to the establishment of a new international order. The evolution of information technology boosted the phenomenon of globalization, allowing groups less significants to have access to knowledge, in a real time, about the relevant facts in the scope of international relations. Similarly, the economies have become increasingly interconnected through its intense commercial and financial flows, whereby different groups of countries have emerged seeking specific understandings among themselves, in order to protect their economies and to increase their representations in the international arena. The states remain the main players in the international system, but share with other non-state actors the capability to influence this system, which have the power to conduct transnational relations causing a diffusion of international relations power. The international system, in the early twenty-first century, although subject to military hegemony of the United States of America, presents a context of multipolarity that contributes to armed conflicts to be mitigated and occur on a regional level. The States have to decide how they take part in those conflicts, seeking to reduce the levels of violence, in order to ensure the legitimacy of their actions by the international community, especially the United Nations. The new threats, represented by non-state actors such as terrorist organizations, piracy, drug trafficking and organized crime, carry operations in transnational spaces that have influence to the complexity of international relations, contributing to the instability of the International order. Cooperation between countries is highlighted in the combat of new threats, since the states, if acting alone, have limited capability to obtain effective results. In this sense, cooperation between States and non-State actors, raises the importance of expansion of soft power in international relations. This study aims to identify aspects of the Brazilian naval power employment, its contribution to strengthening of the soft power of the country and analyze the cases in which the role of the Navy of Brazil, can contribute to its end. More over, an analysis of the theoretical assumptions of power, smart power, hard power and soft power, especially in the conduction of international relations, as well as the use of armed force in this sense. Following an examination of international relations in this century and Brazil's relations with the South Atlantic, with respect to matters of national defense. Finally, the situation of the Brazilian naval power, considering the main budget constraints, will be analyzed in order to identify consistency and employment opportunities of naval power, with the active participation of the Navy of Brazil, in the areas of national interest, in contribution to the Brazilian foreign policy.