Introduction
Researching on France-Brazil as two distinct countries are as important as looking at the diplomatic relations existing between the two nations. The essence of writing this paper is to compare certain selected elements between the French Republic and the Federal Republic of Brazil. These are two countries that have good goodwill towards each other, evidenced by the fact that France has set up an embassy in Brasília while Brazil has an embassy in Paris. These two nations have firmly committed themselves to ensure that their bilateral associations have been enhanced. There have been the establishments of links in areas where working groups have been established; these include technological innovation, defense technologies, space technologies, renewable energies, and nuclear energy. The first formal alliance entered into by France and Brazil was in 2008. Since then, France has actively supported Brazil’s drive and goal of becoming an international player on the global scene and has further been seen to be a strong and outstanding supporter of the Brazilian proposal for a consideration for a permanent place in the UN Security Council. By using and utilizing significant technology transfers, the France has intentions of assisting Brazil to get strategic innovations and technologies in the arena of world power and military prowess. The present paper is interested in analyzing the political economy and the state functions as the primary frameworks of comparison of the two countries.
Background Information of Each Nation
France is categorized among the most modern nations globally and is a leader amongst European countries. It has consistently played a global role of being a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the EU, the G-20, the G-8, and NATO.
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Brazil gained her independence in 1822 following a succession of independence awarded to 3 other nations falling under Portuguese rule. After that, Brazil strove to maintain a monarchical governmental system until the abolition of slavery in 1888. To this day, Brazil prides herself in pursuit of agricultural and industrial growth and development of its entire interior. The only setbacks to Brazil are incidences of high-income inequality coupled with crime issues, and the recently slowed down economic growth.
The Political Economy
The longstanding and well-established relationship existing between France and Brazil is attributed to the 2006’s Strategic Partnership built in May 2006 by Presidents Chirac and Lula. This partnership pillar essentially recognizes Brazil as a worldwide player as well as an authentic candidate of enjoying seat permanency in the UN Security Council. The solidification of the relationship existing between Brazil and France is enshrined on diversified and solid cooperation, especially that Brazil is known to many as a Francophile nation whose cross-cultural diversity is part of its national identity.
Looking at the governance and top leadership of Brazil and French, one discovers a variation whereby the French Government’s Constitution outlines too many responsibilities and duties that lie in the hand of Parliament. On the other hand, the Brazil structural framework is different in that, the majority of the decisions are made by the top executive and not the Parliament. The Parliament is routinely mandated to propose bills and amending certain laws, which must first be consulted with the top executive and then passed to the Parliament for final voting.
The political stability of France and Brazil when compared in the eyes of analysts posts a balancing picture, since the mechanism in which politics is conducted in both nations is equal. There are hardly any disparities between the two when it comes to the political alliances and formation, political challenges, and the manner of exercising elections.
State
Brazil is a federal republic government which has maintained her state of sovereignty since her independence. Brazil prides herself in recognition of democracy that has been established with the multiple parties that were formed and continue to be formed in the country. In Brazil, democracy is well practiced and exercised to the fullest. Every time, there are elections, the country and the world at large witness successive transition from one regime, government, and leadership from one to another. In parliament, the motions and debates are normally done just like the British parliaments. This is contrary to the French Parliament since the French parliament is far much different from the British one. The Brazil executive held powers but limited to a certain extent, wherein the Parliament steps in to help. The head of Government of Brazil is assisted by the Prime Minister, each of the two has their vested powers and mandate of governing the nation on certain matters (Barrionuevo, 2008).
The momentum of having economic relations is enshrined on both investment and trade. French firms view Brazil as a nation whose trading links is nothing but a mere market where French’s international development strategy can be realized. Notwithstanding the present conditions attached to Byzantine stipulations, the nation of Brazil has remained appealing for all the actively-running French companies where there are golden opportunities worth-exploiting. France is Brazil’s prominent scientific support partner, where the country benefits regarding technological and research innovation. France has also remained Brazil’s leading European academic partner (Barrionuevo, 2008).
Brazil is characterized by vast and advanced sectors of manufacturing, mining, agricultural, and other service sectors. It also has a rapidly growing middle class- only that its economy supersedes the economies of all other nations within the South-American zone. Currently, Brazil is expanding its horizons in horizons in the world markets. Since the year 2003, Brazil has been progressively improving its macro-economic immovability, attempting to build up foreign reserves and lessening its debt profile. In the year 2008, there was the achievement of Brazil as a net external creditor, a position where rating agencies, two in number, made award to Brazil’s investment grade to its own debt. The 2008 economic crisis hit Brazil so much to the extent that it started experiencing increasing inflation; this caused its authorities to take measures that sought to cool down the Brazilian economy. To this day, unemployment has historically reached a climax in the country, leading to the decline of the country’s income inequality. On the other hand, the near exorbitant interest rates have contributed to Brazil as a gorgeous destination for foreign investors (Barrionuevo, 2008).
On the side France, her economy is somehow diversified across all sectors. French Government has fully and partially privatized many of its large firms, such as Thales, Renault, France Telecom, and Air France. France Government still maintains an unwavering presence in certain sectors such as defense, public transport, and power industries. Priding herself in the 82 million tourist plus visits every year, making it the third largest income earner annually from tourism. The leadership of France has remained committed to maintaining capitalist system of economy wherein they preserve social equity through social spending, tax policies, and laws- all these are geared at mitigating economic inequality. The real GDP of France stagnated in 2012 and 2013. Thanks to the France’s President who has executed greater state support for employment; by specifically increasing the personal and top corporate tax rates. The proposed “Responsibility Pact” created in the country was designed to lower laboring costs in substitute for business’ commitment to the creation of jobs. Regardless of stagnant growth and financial challenges, the country’s borrowing costs have deteriorated in the recent past because investors have remained attracted to the country’s bond liquidity (Barrionuevo, 2008).
Reference
Barrionuevo, Alexei (2008). "Brazil Signs Arms Deal With France". The New York Times . Retrieved 2008-12-24.
