The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization and the Brazilian shallow regionalism in two periods

Abstract

This article seeks to characterize the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) as a concrete example of Brazilian asymmetrical superficial regionalism in relation to the Amazon region. The justification for this study lies in the need to understand the dynamics shaping Brazilian regional policies, particularly at a time of increasing internationalization of environmental issues. With its geopolitical, ecological, and economic significance, the Amazon has been subjected to constant pressures, both diplomatically and within the economic and environmental spheres. Understanding these pressures and how they affect Brazil's actions within ACTO is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness and limitations of Brazilian foreign policy in the region. In this context, the article first provides a theoretical-conceptual approach to how superficial regionalism can explain Brazil's actions toward the integration and defense of the region within ACTO. Combining bibliographic review, documentary research, and a historical-comparative method, we analyze how Brazilian foreign policy towards the Amazon region was conducted during the Geisel and the first half of the third Lula administrations, as well as the relevance of horizontal international cooperation among Global South countries on the agenda of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, converge to promote institutional advancements for ACTO due to external pressures. We argue that, although formulated in distinct domestic and international contexts, these policies reveal notable similarities, particularly concerning the pursuit of autonomy and the diversification of partnerships.