Description
This research aims to analyze the paradiplomatic practices of subnational entities in Brazil, focusing on the relationship between subnational and federal governments and its influence on paradiplomatic activities. The study will conduct two case studies: a) Brazilian paradiplomatic activities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and b) subnational actors' engagement in environmental diplomacy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, subnational actors developed strategies that often conflicted with the federal government's denialist stance during the Bolsonaro administration (2019-2022). The Interstate Consortium for Sustainable Development of the Northeast actively sought equipment, vaccines, and strengthened international relations, particularly with China.
The project will also examine subnational actors' engagement in environmental diplomacy. Entities such as the Northeast Consortium and the Legal Amazon Consortium played pivotal roles in defending the environmental agenda and combating climate change, often opposing the federal government's climate denialism. These efforts included restoring bilateral relations with other countries and participating in multilateral environmental conferences.
The study aims to provide insights into the evolution of subnational diplomacy, highlighting how subnational governments engage in international cooperation to address global challenges. The findings will contribute to the broader field of paradiplomacy studies and inform policy recommendations for subnational governments.
