How Alike Are Brazil and the USA in Terms of Social Progress?

 

President Barack Obama has discussed the values

that he believes unite the people of the two largest democracies in the hemisphere and those who are working for change worldwide as his two-day visit to Brazil draws to a close. The president and his family visited several significant landmarks in Rio de Janeiro after dedicating the first day of their visit to the development of economic and trade relations between the United States and Brazil. However, one of those sites, a visit to the vast "favela" or slum known as City of God, also underscored a critical message: the inclusion of individuals from all societal strata and races fortifies democracy and accelerates economic advancement and development. Mr. Obama, his wife Michelle, and his daughters observed percussion and martial arts performances, engage in soccer ball kicks with neighborhood children, and pose for photographs.

The visit to the location was reflected in Mr. Obama's address at Rio's Municipal Theatre, during which he expressed his optimism that hope is returning to "places where fear once prevailed" and praised Brazil's success in emancipating millions of people from poverty through new security and social programs. He stated that Brazil has transitioned from a dictatorship to a flourishing democracy, and in doing so, has served as an inspiration to the world. Brazil was a nation that was overflowing with potential for an extended period of time, but it was impeded by politics, both domestically and internationally. For an extended period, you were referred to as a country of the future and advised to anticipate a more prosperous future that was perpetually within reach. My friends, that day has finally arrived. This is no longer a country of the future. He stated that the Brazilian populace should be aware that the future has arrived and that it is now time to seize it.

Mr. Obama emphasized that the United States and Brazil share a common history

as former colonies that welcomed waves of immigrants, ultimately erasing "the stain of slavery." He also noted that the two countries have faced parallel struggles for equality for individuals of all races and backgrounds. In reference to the ongoing conflict for human rights in the Middle East and North Africa, the president stated that, despite their differing perspectives, Brazilians and Americans share similar aspirations. "We all aspire to be liberated." We all aspire to be heard. We all desire to live without fear or discrimination. We all desire the ability to determine our own fate and to determine how we are governed. These are not Western ideals, Brazilian ideals, or American ideals. "These are universal rights, and we must advocate for them anywhere," he stated. Mr. Obama also made a jest about his hometown of Chicago's loss to Rio de Janeiro in the competition to host the 2016 Olympic Games. He received a standing ovation when he announced his intention to attend the games in person.

In order to safeguard civilians from attacks by forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi, the president is receiving continual updates on allied military operations in Libya to enforce a no-fly zone. He conducted a secure conference call with his National Security Adviser, Tom Donilon, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, and General Carter Ham, who serves as the commander of the U.S. Africa Command. According to White House officials, President Obama discussed Libya in "general terms" with Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff on Saturday, with an emphasis on their shared apprehensions regarding the Libyan populace. The president, his wife Michelle, and their daughters will tour the renowned Christ the Redeemer statue, which is an icon of Rio and Brazil, before departing Brazil. The statue is situated atop Corcovado Mountain, which dominates the city. Mr. Obama will proceed to Chile to confer with President Sebastian Pinera.

According to Daniel Restrepo, the Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the National Security Council, Chile is another example of a successful democratic transition and economic progress, similar to Brazil. "A country that has also had a very successful democratic transition over the course of the last 20 years, that has used its global connectivity, economic connectivity and commercial connectivity to lift people out of poverty and to consolidate its democratic experience," he pointed out. Chile has acquired expertise in disaster response as a result of its frequent earthquakes, the tsunamis that occurred last year, and its involvement in judicial and police training in Latin America. Additionally, the two presidents will deliberate on the topic of cooperation in disaster response. The relationship between the United States and Brazil is intricate and profound, with persistent issues that both bolster and strain the relationship. Nevertheless, the context in which these issues are situated has undergone a significant and swift transformation. In each of these cases, the challenges have been exacerbated by both domestic and international trends: democracy and governance; climate change; criminality; and sustainable development. In order for the relationship to progress, it will be necessary for both parties to adjust.

However, there is an additional obstacle

the two nations hold divergent perspectives on the changing international order, particularly in relation to China's role. In order to further its global ambitions, Brazil must revise its comprehension of the geopolitical dynamic in which it is currently situated. In the same vein, if Washington desires a more intimate relationship with Brazil, it must abandon any aspiration to entice Brazil to join an anti-China coalition and acknowledge that an autonomous Brazil, which makes significant contributions to global food security, climate change, and regional security, can contribute to the advancement of a stable international order. U.S.-Brazil relations have been professional, if under-attended, and stable for a significant portion of the post-Cold War period. However, this has not been the case recently. The election of former U.S. President Donald Trump resulted in uncertainty and disarray, as it did in numerous aspects of American foreign relations. It is ironic that the subsequent election of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro resulted in the establishment of a positive channel at the top, despite the fact that it caused a state of disorder in Brazilian governance. The relationship was left with a significant question mark when U.S. President Joe Biden was elected in Washington, restoring a sense of normalcy to one side of the equation. However, the subsequent ups and downs were insignificant in comparison.One