Description
This research aims to analyze the transformations in Brazil’s paradiplomatic practices during the Bolsonaro administration (2019–2022), with particular attention to the international engagement of state governments—especially those in the country’s Southeast and Northeast regions—during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is grounded in the hypothesis that this period marked a significant turning point in federal–state relations, characterized by the emergence of a “disruptive federalism.” This form of federalism reflects the intensification of tensions between subnational and national governments, both domestically and internationally, driven by the combined effects of the health crisis and growing political and economic instability. During this time, Brazilian paradiplomacy underwent notable reconfiguration as governors, through the formation of regional coalitions, began to challenge the federal government’s stance and assert their own diplomatic initiatives. These subnational actors operated simultaneously as counterweights to the federal government’s domestic policies and as proactive participants in international diplomacy, engaging directly with foreign governments, international organizations, and transnational networks. In many cases, these initiatives stood in open contrast to the Bolsonaro administration’s positions in bilateral and multilateral arenas, particularly regarding health governance and environmental policy. Drawing on both primary and secondary data—such as official documents, public statements, and media reports—the research seeks to map and interpret the international actions of Brazilian governors within this complex context. By examining the evolution of subnational diplomacy in Brazil during this period, the study sheds light on the growing political autonomy and international assertiveness of state governments and highlights how the pandemic accelerated structural changes in Brazil’s federal system. Ultimately, the research contributes to broader debates on paradiplomacy, federalism, and the reconfiguration of international engagement in times of domestic crisis.
