Minor Brazilian Chair 2018
Brazilian international and national and politics in the 21st century
Admission requirements
Not applicable
Description
The aim of this course is to focus on Brazil’s national and international political development in the 21st century. Brazil’s international insertion will be analysed in the 1st part and its national politics will be studied in the 2nd part.
First, the focus will be on Brazil’s international insertion in the 21st century. In 1999 Fernando Henrique Cardoso began his second term as president of Brazil, having to face the effects of the crisis affecting emerging markets. Brazil's foreign policy started to place greater emphasis on South American integration and to seek new spaces for its international insertion. The election of Luis Inácio "Lula" da Silva, who has served two terms as president (2003-2010), has further deepened Brazil's international projection with a global political agenda replete with initiatives and marked by the support of the country’s expanding economy – a consequence of both the reforms that were implemented and higher commodity prices in the global market. Alongside regional integration, South-South Cooperation was developed, as well as new Strategic Partnerships (bilateral and multilateral, such as IBSA and BRICS), and an assertive role in North-South relations. Brazil ranked 5th in the world economy (as in its territory and population) at the beginning of the second decade of the new century, but suffered due to the effects of the international crisis and the problematic administration of Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached in 2016. Amidst corruption scandals, the political-economic crisis, diplomatic uncertainty and the fragility of Michel Temer's government, Brazil's international projection seems threatened. But 2018 is an election year. Will Brazil's international advances be exhausted or will there be a recovery?
The second part will be devoted to national politics: Brazil entered the 21st century with excellent prospects. After two terms (1995-2002) President Fernando Henrique Cardoso transferred the presidential sash to a former metalworker and trade union leader, Luís Inácio Lula da Silva, of the Workers' Party (PT). Despite mishaps in his first term, due to allegations of corruption, Lula was re-elected in 2006. His second term in office ended with high popularity ratings. These were the result of economic growth, major poverty alleviation and the expansion of social rights. This situation allowed Lula to elect his successor, Dilma Rousseff. At first, the president faced no major problems, but the deterioration of the world economic situation, wrong choices in economic policies and a personal style of leadership very different from that of Lula, facilitated the outbreak of major street protests in 2013. Hence, in spite of Rousseff's re-election in 2014, a political crisis erupted that culminated in the president's impeachment and her replacement by Vice-President Michel Temer. The course will analyse the policies of the PT, the nature of the crisis and the new role of the Public Prosecutor ‘s Office and the Judiciary in Brazilian politics, while also exploring the possible outcomes in 2018.
Course objectives
The objective of the course is to present and discuss the evolution of the Brazilian national and international politics, in the 21st century, after a brief historical analysis to show the impact of previous policies.
Timetable
Wednesday, 17-19, Lipsius, 203
1st part, III 07-2-2018 till 14-3-2018
2nd part, IV 28-3-2018 till 02-5-2018
Mode of instruction
Lectures + student participation
Course Load
Total course load: 5 EC x 28 uur = 140 uur
Class attendance: 24 hrs;
Reading literature: 32 hrs;
Writing 2 short papers: 84 hrs.
Assessment method
Class participation/presentation (20%)
2 short essays of 1800 words each (80%)
The essay can be redone in case of a grade below 6.0.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used:
to post all the necessary information about the course (programme, time tables, announcements, etc.)
to post interesting activities (such as Conferences, workshops, expositions, etc.), which are related to the themes analysed during the course
Reading list
A reading list will be posted on Blackboard.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Registration Contractonderwijs
Contact
For questions about the content of the course, you can contact:
Dr. M.L. Wiesebron
Coordinator of Studies: A.C. Wapenaar MA
Administrations Office: van Wijkplaats
Remarks
Not applicable