The revised application...

Nation: The Federative Republic of Brazil

Leader: President Adriano Claro

History: Brazil suffered a rocky history until 1950, after its limited participation in the First World War. The battle between rising corporate interests and the government shook the nation to its core, with the influence of these powerful magnates finally removed in the early 1950s. Since then, Brazil has integrated and formed closer ties with its South American neighbors, culminating in the South American Confederacy formed by President Claro during his first term, an organization formed for joint South American military assistance and trade management. In 1970, there was a major rebellion of so-called "Brazilian patriots" who opposed integration with the other South American countries, which was inevitably crushed. Despite this outburst of sentiment, Brazil has settled into a working relationship with the vast majority of the other South American nations as a natural hegemon, but not one bent on conquest or overwhelming influence. Under Sofia Veracruz's presidency from 1968-1976 and Claro's presidency thus far until 1980, Brazil has undergone a program of aggressive economic expansion promoted by the state both through fairly high taxes (which have not failed to provoke resentment) as well as through what little loans could be acquired from the international market. As such, the economic situation in Brazil has improved considerably, but poverty and underdevelopment in rural areas is still a considerable problem. Brazil has fairly modern military forces dating from the 1950s and 60s, with a small airforce but reasonably sized navy and good quality infantry equipment and armor purchased mostly from Poland.

Brazil, like the rest of South America, has long been focused inward, but with the beginning of Adriano Claro's first term in 1976, he sought to foster ties with like-minded nations such as Ethiopia and the rising Armenian nation. Military collaboration and trade agreements were created with the Slavic Union of Poland and Ukraine. Though wary of overextension, Claro desires to help combat the great powers of Spain and China, as well as keeping a wary eye on its northern Anglo neighbor. Tensions have begun rising between Brazil and the other major power on the continent, Argentina, as Argentina has stepped out of line in tilting toward Spain. This is likely to be the most important foreign policy issue of the 1980-1984 term, aside from the Spanish invasion of Ethiopia.

Brazil during Adriano Claro's first term has sought a middle way between the rabid capitalism that characterizes Spain and the staunch communism professed by China and its allies. The economy is mixed between state control and private enterprise, with the core industries managed by the state and smaller businesses and industries left in private hands. This path is opposed both by the Liberals and Communists in the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies, but for now Claro's Brazilian People's Party holds a majority with the Liberals a close second. Claro's platform for his reelection in August 1980 is continued domestic economic expansion under state-controlled oversight and stimulus, and continued close ties with Brazil's natural allies in Ethiopia and Armenia, while the rival Communist party favors closer relations with China and an adoption of its brand of communism, and the Liberal party closer relations and economic revision in favor of the more moderate capitalist powers, such as Britain and Australia. Reconciliation with Spain is virtually out of the question for any except the most extreme of right-wing politicians. During Claro's first term, he also implemented several reforms aiming to eliminate corruption and strengthen Brazilian democratic institutions, such as the implementation of the instant runoff vote and the elimination of restrictions on the private press that existed as a remnant of Brazil's authoritarian days.