O relacionamento Brasil-Argentina à luz da convergência ideológica-partidária e suas consequências para o regionalismo: a UNASUL (2003-2019)

Abstract

This study seeks to analyze the effects of the ideological convergence experienced by Brazil and Argentina Presidents from 2003 to 2019 in the context of regionalism, especially Unasur. The period of analysis corresponds to the Lula da Silva administrations (2003-2010); Dilma Rousseff (2011-2015); Michel Temer (2015-2018); and Jair Bolsonaro (2019-), in Brazil; and Néstor Kirchner (2003-2007); Cristina Kirchner (2007-2015); and Maurício Macri (2015-2019) in Argentina. By focusing on the partisan ideologies of these governments, the influence of these ideas on the foreign policy conceptions of each government can be seen, thus, it can be observed that foreign policy is, in fact, a public policy like others and, therefore, it suffers mutations arising from the political context in which it is developed. In this sense, it is possible to note that the ideological convergence, both on the left and on the right, provides the countries' understanding on some issues, including regionalism. Indeed, the regional conceptions of the countries are similar and enable an understanding in the integrationist arena of South America and, moreover, in Unasur. The analysis undertaken demonstrates that the ideological consonance makes it possible to understand the concept of the region as an agenda – or not – of Brazilian and Argentine foreign policy. In this context, the actions carried out at Unasur are a good example of how the ideological affluence has affected the relationship between the countries and, also, the origin, consolidation and emptying of the institution. The new regional scenario, since 2015, raises some conclusions about the South American regional process so far, while leaving uncertainties about its future.