Exploring the interplay between Framing and Securitization theory: the case of the Arab Spring protests in Bahrain

This article advances the theoretical integration between securitization theory and the framing approach, resulting in a set of criteria hereby called security framing. It seeks to make a twofold contribution: to sharpen the study of the ideational elements that underlie the construction of threats, and to advance towards a greater assessment of the audience's preferences. The case study under examination is the 2011 military intervention of the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Bahrain. The security framing of this case will help illuminate the dynamics at play in one of the most important recent events in Gulf politics.

Revisionismos de relações com os Estados Unidos e suas variáveis nos governos progressistas da América do Sul

Este artigo identifica e analisa os diferentes tipos de política revisionista, e suas gradações, desenvolvidos pelos governos progressistas da América do Sul em relação aos Estados Unidos nos últimos 13 anos. Para isso, tem como ponto de partida conceitos fundamentais para o melhor entendimento sobre o comportamento dos países da região em relação à grande potência: "revisionismo periférico", de Cesar Guimarães, e "confrontação autônoma" e "confrontação antagônica", ambos de Helio Jaguaribe. A partir dos desdobramentos desses conceitos foi desenvolvido um modelo teórico com diferentes tipos de revisionismos periféricos, o que permitiu uma espécie de sintonia fina de classificações das políticas externas do período.

Economic sanctions and human rights: an analysis of competing enforcement strategies in Latin America

This article addresses the consequences of economic sanctions for the protection of human rights in Latin America. The literature on sanctions and compliance informs three hypotheses, which investigate the relationship between sanctions and the level of rights protection in two groups of countries: those that were targeted by sanctions and those that were not. Using data from the Political Terror Scale (PTS) and from Freedom House, I find empirical evidence that sanctions do improve the level of protection in countries that were not targeted. This finding can be explained by the deterrent effect attributed to sanctions by the compliance literature, broadly interpreted. The presence of economic sanctions in a given year increases the probability of observing better human rights practices by almost 50%. These results hold for the 12 Latin American countries that were not subject to economic sanctions for the period 1976-2004.

Rio Branco, grand strategy and naval power

This article addresses Baron of Rio Branco's grand strategy and the role played by the naval reorganization program (1904-1910) in this context. The ensuing case study determined the domestic and international constraints that affected the program, as well as the worldview of the patron of Brazilian diplomacy regarding military power's instrumentality to foreign policy.

UN Security Council decision-making: testing the bribery hypothesis

Liberal-Institutionalism and Structural Realism expectations about international organizations are confronted by looking at if and how US-controlled international aid is granted, and particularly if it is related or not to political affinity and to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent membership. A preliminary assessment suggests that these relations only hold for the period of the Cold War, and, even then, only when UNSC non-permanent membership is in years in which the Security Council was deemed very important.

O orçamento de defesa dos EUA: racionalidade X pressões domésticas

Ao longo das últimas décadas, gastos substanciais com defesa têm sido mantidos pelos EUA. Essas despesas simbolizam uma reação do país a condições sistêmicas, mas também se relacionam com os interesses de agentes domésticos que trabalham para sua manutenção. Neste artigo, pretende-se examinar como funcionou a combinação dessas pressões no período que marcou o fim da Guerra-Fria, por meio da comparação entre os orçamentos de defesa da primeira gestão de Reagan (1981-1984) e da Administração Bush (1989-1992).

A paz (ainda) pela jurisdição compulsória?

Seguindo a tradição kantiana, Hans Kelsen, em seu Peace through Law (1944), defendeu que a criação de um tribunal internacional com jurisdição compulsória deveria ser o primeiro passo rumo à eliminação das guerras. Anos depois, Kelsen foi vitorioso e derrotado. Embora muitos tribunais internacionais possuam jurisdição compulsória, problemas como guerra e paz, por sua complexidade, continuam sem solução definitiva.

An outline of military technological dynamics as restraints for acquisition, international cooperation and domestic technological development

The expectation that technological returns from defense expenditure through acquisition, international cooperation and domestic research would further national development underappreciates the different technological dynamic of the armed services. This paper outlines the technological dynamic the stems from fighting in the air, at sea and on land, exemplifying consequences for the case of acquisition.

Governança de recursos comuns: bacias hidrográficas transfronteiriças

Este artigo analisa processos de inovação institucional, com foco para a governança das bacias transfronteiriças dos rios Apa, Acre, Lagoa Mirim e Quaraí, todos situados na América do Sul. Busca-se identificar a internalização de diretrizes internacionais para a gestão de águas e discutir inovações quanto a estruturas de governança desse recurso compartilhado.

A discreta transição da Coreia do Norte: diplomacia de risco e modernização sem reforma

A Coreia do Norte acaba de passar por nova sucessão, com um líder jovem, o que para analistas representa ausência de mudanças e esgotamento do regime. Enquanto as disputas de poder interno e as crises militares externas parecem sinalizar continuidade, e que foram iniciadas algumas transformações importantes. O regime impulsiona a modernização da defesa, enquanto recoloca o Partido como ator relevante, definindo o desenvolvimento econômico como vetor. Mas a modernização em curso prossegue com a tradicional diplomacia de risco que parece descartar a ideia de reforma, conservando a essência do regime.

Multi-level governance and social cohesion in the European Union: the assessment of local agents, a study case inside Galicia

Implementing multi-level governance has been a key priority in EU cohesion policy. This study assesses the perceived achievements and shortcomings in implementing European Social Fund by analyzing the deficits and weaknesses as well as the poor participation of local agents who are in direct contact with the beneficiaries in order to design and implement this fund, which is the main financial instrument of EU social policy.

Mao's steps in Monroe's backyard: towards a United States-China hegemonic struggle in Latin America?

Contrary to what could be expected given the United States' historical hegemony of Latin America, growing Chinese influence in this region has not led to a dispute between China and the US. Despite activism of hard-line groups in the United States, both parties have faced the issue with noticeable pragmatism. This attitude could be explained by three variables: the US political negligence towards Latin America in the Post-Cold War, the focus of Sino-Latin American relations on economic rather than geopolitical or ideological affairs, and the scanty relevance of the region in the top priorities of overall Washington-Beijing relations.

Swords into ploughshares? China's Soft Power strategy in Southeast Asia and its challenges1

Since the 1990s, alongside China's economic growth, the international community has fostered a general anxiety towards a "China threat." In order to relieve itself from suspicion, China adopted the dual strategies of "harmonious worldview" and "good neighbor policy." The strategies led to the use of soft power in China's foreign policy. China aimed to reduce security concerns implied by the threat theory by supporting an image that caters to international peace and development. This article seeks to explain how China achieves its interests in Southeast Asia through the use of soft power. The authors address the concepts of "harmonious worldview" and "good neighbor policy" and how the twin strategies and soft power have shaped China's foreign policy in recent years. This article aims to provide insights into China's policy options in Southeast Asia in the near future.