International Politics and the Sea: The Case of Brazil

Because Brazil’s emergence as a major power is paralleled by its emergence as an ocean power, the country is a particularly important example of the ocean policies of developing states. Ocean affairs have become increasingly important for Brazilian foreign policy, and Brazil, in turn, has come to occupy a distinctive position in bilateral, regional, and global negotiations for a new ocean order. This book surveys all aspects of Brazilian ocean policy: domestic influences, naval affairs, offshore petroleum exploration, shipping, and fishing. National ocean policy is related to international politics through analysis of Brazil’s participation at international maritime conferences and its maritime relations with other states. The final chapter compares Brazil’s ocean policy with policies of other states, both developing and developed.