geographical and environmental:
- environmental risks:
-> the Brazilian paradox:
~ Non-fossil energies in Brazil provide
nearly 35% of the country's energy
Brazil is the fourth largest emitter of
greenhouse gases on the planet, which is partly explained by high deforestation.
-> Strong development of agrofuels:
But this industry is endangering
biodiversity because of the conversion of soils into cultivated areas.
- health and epidemic risks:
Strong prevention against diseases
transmitted by insect bites such as Malaria (the Amazon being classified in
Zone 3 of vigilance), Dengue (Dengue epidemic in the zone of the triple border
between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay) and yellow fever for whom vaccination
is obligatory.
An assessment of the country's hard power:
- Military power of the country:
-> 2,062,710 military or 1.6 per thousand of the
active population.
-> Willingness to acquire advanced military
technologies to become a completely independent military power
-> Willingness to become the military power
of the South American continent
-> Major active role in MINUSTAH (United
Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti)
- Weight of the country in international
institutions:
-> accession to the WTO in 1995: important
role in negotiations in the field of agri-food.
-> Member of MERCOSUR
-> Member of UNASUR (Union of South American
Nations)
-> Member of IBAS (India-Brazil-South Africa)
-> Member of ASA (Africa-South America)
-> BRICS Member
-> Multiplication of the creation of
South-South alliances
- Technology and innovation:
-> Many partnerships between France and
Brazil in major sectors such as aeronautics and space, defense, automotive,
energy, transport, environment, biotechnology and ICT.
-> In 2008, gross domestic expenditure on R
& D amounted to 1.1% of GDP
-> In 2007 set up by the Ministry of Science
and Technology an action plan for science, technology and innovation (2007-2011)
An assessment of the country's soft power:
- Media and cultural recognition: Brazil is
qualified as a "soft power adept" as it aspires to play a new role in
international negotiations as a mediator.
- Vector influence: football would be the
instrument of Brazilian diplomacy par excellence because it is recognized
worldwide which reinforces its image on the international scene.
- Future event: 2014 FIFA World Cup
Brazil's GDP exceeded Italy's GDP in 2010
and is expected to surpass that of France by next year, becoming the world's
fifth largest economy. Despite some signs of slowing down, the country seems to
continue its economic boom thanks to a major position in the agro-food sector
and especially in the wealth of its subsoil. In addition, Brazil is making
efforts to catch up in R & D as evidenced by the growing number of
partnerships with foreign countries, particularly France.
On the social side, however, social
disparities are large and the state has difficulty in containing the
delinquency and crime that is spreading throughout the country. It is
nevertheless essential to note that the emergence of a middle class marks the
turn of the country in its economic transition.
On the political front, Brazil has a
strong influence throughout Latin America and even more so in all the countries
of the South thanks to the multiplication of its agreements. The country is
gradually becoming a major spokesman against the Western powers as evidenced by
the case of cotton against the United States (against the grant of Washington
for US cotton producers which made Brazil less competitive).
Finally, in terms of the environment,
Brazil does not seem to be up to the task. The country has favored its economic
rise to the detriment of its ecosystem as evidenced by the deforestation of the
Amazon rainforest which is responsible for 15 to 20% of the greenhouse effect
due to human activities.
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