Os diferentes projetos políticos de Portugal em relação ao Atlântico Sul

Abstract

Portugal once was a colonial empire. It has a strong geographical and historical connection with the sea, mainly with the Atlantic Ocean. It is a member in international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Union (EU) and the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). Nowadays it is considered a small power. Taking into account Portugal’s attempt to project power in the South Atlantic, this dissertation’s objective is to analyze the different Portuguese political projects that link Portugal to NATO and the South Atlantic defense project, and to analyze whether such political projects complement one another and/or if one prevails over the other. To do so, we proceed to the hypothetical-deductive methodology, using an indirect documentation technique, which encompasses documentary and bibliographic research. In this way, it can be observed that Portugal's participation in NATO has brought and continues to bring advantages to the country, which has come to be seen as a co-producer of international security. It is said that NATO can also act in the South Atlantic. It is also observed that despite the formal end of the Portuguese colonial empire, relations of dependence between Portugal and its former colonies are still maintained, even though Portugal advertises cooperation under CPLP’s scope. It is concluded that, due to its small power status, Portugal cannot make a final decision in favor of a political project that means the exclusion of a network of alliances