Ideology and foreign policy preferences of Brazilian legislators (2015-2022)

Abstract  This article explores the evolution of the Brazilian legislature's role in Brazilian Foreign Policy (BFP) since the New Republic. Highlighting the active participation of the National Congress in international affairs, the research seeks to answer the question: “is there a correlation between ideology and the opinions of Brazilian legislators in Foreign Policy, especially in regional integration and foreign policy orientation?” Utilizing data from the Parliamentary Elites Survey Latin America Brazil (PELA) for the 55th and 56th legislatures, the methodology involves constructing 25 regression models to analyze this correlation, covering topics such as regional integration (Mercosur and Unasur), international cooperation (Brics), and preferential orientation (Global South versus Global North). The contextual introduction emphasizes the transformation of the traditional role of Itamaraty and the growing influence of the legislature. This signals a shift in the dynamics of BFP and motivates an investigation into the ideological influence on parliamentary positions on international issues. The research aims to contribute to the contemporary understanding of Brazilian foreign policy, exploring the implications of the legislature's involvement in this scenario. The study provides a detailed analysis, presenting a robust methodology to examine correlations between ideology and parliamentary stances in the international sphere.

Keywords:
Brazilian Foreign Policy; PELA; ideology; Legislative and Foreign Policy