Influence Of Brazil National Congress On Foreign Policy-Making

In recent years, Brazil is playing an increasingly important role in world affairs. Its, roles played in deepening regional integration of South America, strengthening South-South cooperation in international affairs etc. are paid increasing attention to by major powers. As the legislative branch, the Brazilian Congress’s involvement in foreign affairs is mainly achieved through discussion of the relevant bills. Although the executive branch has enjoyed a high independence on policy making, Congress is playing a more and more important role. This paper adopts the following three research methods: historical analysis, literature analysis and comparative study. Focusing on the impact of the Brazilian Congress on foieign policy decision-making during the New Republic Period, it can be divided into five parts:The first part examines the Brazilian legislation-executive relations and the impact on foreign policy making. Brazil had been in a period of military authoritarianism for decades before 1985, when the executive branch had greatly expanded its power in government, and legislative/judicial activities had been largely constrained. In early 1970s, Brazil began a transition to democracy under strict control by the military. In 1985, President Sarney’s signature on the convening of the Constituent Assembly bill was a milestone in democratic process. In 1989, Brazil elected the first civilian president, which had been in power for 16 years, thus had completed democratic transition, and established a relatively stable democracy regime. Brazil’s new constitution has so far undergone five modifications, which has gradually restored and strengthened the power of Congress in foreign affairs. Throughout the history of the relationship between the executive and legislative branches in Brazil since democratization in 1985, we discover Congress’s effect on foreign policy decisions is growing.The second part analyzes the procedure of Brazilian Congress’s discussion on foreign-related bills. There are foreign affairs committees in both Chamber of Deputies and Senate. Big parties take up an overwhelming position in Congress. The right of legislation and appointments centralized in Mesa Diretora(Governing Board) and Colegio de Lideres (College of Leaders). Party leaders have the ability to influence the results of bills. Bills related to foreign affairs are generally drafted by the President or Congressmen, discussed in the Foreign Affairs Committee at the first step, then the plenary discussion and vote. In addition to the general bills, Congress has the right to make changes to and approve a constitutional amendment. Congress may submit comments or partial-agreements to foreign-related bills, and can overrule the President’s decision to promulgate the relevant bill.The third part focuses on the impact of indicators in Brazilian Congress’s foreign policy-making for analysis. Multi-party system in Brazil Congress resulted in a number of political parties existing in Congress, which gives Congress the independence of the diplomatic decision-making. From the occupational structure point of view, the number of Congressmen interested in foreign affairs takes up more than half of the total, which makes a growing concern in this area an indisputable fact. Although for various reasons, there is a big difference of perception of members of Congress on major international issues, the Congress shows a growing interest in foreign affairs, and has devoted more and more source to this field. From the view of the inner mechanism, Congress has actively cooperated with the introduction of the executive branch’s foreign policy-making in a number of foreign affairs, and has played an important role. The Congress not only has a full participation of the discussion of bills, but also cooperates with the government’s foreign policy actively.The fourth part analyzes bills related to foreign affairs during the New Republic Period. It has a detailed analysis on bills related to foreign affairs passed in the National Congress since 1985, which includes amendments to the Constitution, international military agreements, bilateral economic cooperation agreements and major commercial contracts, thus confirms the impact of Congress in foreign affairs from the perspective of case analysis.The fifth part of this paper makes a summary and provides suggestions for Chinese diplomacy. Since the democratization in 1985, the role of Brazilian Congress in state’s affairs has been growing, and has played an active role in diplomacy and many other areas. Congress enhances the credibility and stability of policy in the field of foreign policy, assists actively to Brazil Government in diplomatic negotiations, which helps Brazil’s integration into the globalization process. This paper points out, in full knowledge of the importance of the Brazilian Congress in foreign and security affairs, China should attach importance to liaison with the Brazilian Congress.Innovation of this paper:First, there are relatively few systematic studies on the Brazilian implications of foreign policy decisions undertaken in China. The author hopes’ this paper can make a little insight to this research. Second, there are still disputes on this issue. This paper focuses on the specific procedure and features of Brazil Congress’s foreign policy shaping process on the basis of the history and status quo of Brazil’s executive-legislative relations. By analyzing the makeup of congress, the attitude towards main international issues of congressmen, the achievements on international issues, the proportion of foreign relation acts in congress committee conferences and case study of congress participating international agreements negotiations, it tires a relative analysis on the function of Brazil Congress on foreign issues since 1985, which can be regarded as innovative.Analysis on congressional influence on decision-making in the Brazilian foreign affairs is a meaningful exploration in the development of Latin American countries, which can help us to fully understand the Brazil’s foreign policy-making in a better way, especially the decision-making process, thus offer a reference for China-Brazil bilateral relations and China’s political system reform.