Who is stirring things up in Brazil?

Upon dissolution of the Soviet Union, the world, in fact, saw the emergence of three economic centers – contenders for the role of the supervisor of the global economic empire: U.S., Europe and Japan.

Unlike the Cold War era, when nuclear bombs served the purpose of intimidation and instilling of will, "economic bombs" are designed to eliminate opponent’s material base for national sovereignty (that hinders economic globalization). Apart from economic leverages, the West also employs means of ideological pressure (1). It sufficed to recall the usage by the Washington of the new breed of ideological weaponry – social platforms that, as if by the swing of the magic wand, sparked widespread protests in Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia and Syria. Unwilling to stop, Washington went on, skillfully applying that technology elsewhere in the world.

Antigovernment protests and unrest in Turkey caught most of us by surprise. Unlike Egypt, Tunisia and others engulfed by the "Arab Spring", Turkey happens to be not only more developed and prosperous, but also a staunch U.S. ally that has not abandoned its EU aspirations (although much less pronounced).

Looking for clues some analysts cite accumulated resentment with the ruling party in the country while others see outside interference. It was acknowledged by the Prime Minister Erdogan quoted by the "Hurriyet" (2): "Who benefitted from those manifestations? – The financial lobby. Who lost? - Turkey’s economy. The same game is played in Brazil. The same trap is deployed for the same reason".

Indeed, once the events in Turkey had subsided, the same scenario was staged in Brazil. The country braced itself for two weeks-long protests triggered by the price hikes of the public transport fares. Besides, people are frustrated by the government’s policy, including insufficient financing in the area of education and healthcare.

So, what are we dealing with here: global crisis, export of revolution or its permanent alteration? Today one often may hear such mantra: America is weakening. In the Latin America, it is more relevant than ever. The continent is no longer America’s "backyard", on the contrary, this part of the world has never been so unified and sovereign.

Moreover, participation of Brazil, one of the largest Latin American countries, in such a global organization as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) only amplifies Western concerns. It is worthy to mention that the world’s fifth largest country, Brazil is also the eighth largest economy. Julia Schweig, senior fellow on Global Brazilian Initiative with the Council of international Relations, is convinced that economies of the BRICS countries will account for half of the global GDP by 2020 (3).

Aligning itself with the Brazilian scholar, "Goldman Sachs" estimates that combined economies of the BRICS countries will surpass the combined economies of the wealthiest nations on earth (G-8). Therefore, it is imperative that the U.S. undermines the organization at any cost. By the way, President Putin of Russia often talks about foreign attempts to offset his country’s strategic balance.

Indeed, BRICS aims to play a more pronounced role in the global politics and the activity of the international organizations. According to India’s "Hindustan Times", BRICS strives to become a force to counterbalance global dictate of the U.S. and other European countries within such international organizations as International Monetary Fund.

Chinese analysts point out that without prior consultations, Brazil, Russia, India and China shared similar positions during the deliberations on the Syrian issue in the UN Security Council. They all abstained. When the conditions are right, predicts Liu Youfa, the Vice-President of the China Institute of International Studies, developing countries will seek the establishment of the "new world order" (4).

This continent that once suffered from military coups is slowly but surely conceives stable democratic societies. Responsible economic management, poverty eradication programs, sound structural reforms and increased transparency for foreign investments have all contributed to years of low inflation. As a result, the region was able to withstand devastating impact of the global economic crisis.

Apparently, some quarters are displeased with the growing economic power of the developing countries and therefore, they resort to revolutionary means of stirring things up in those countries. The U.S. is acutely aware that failure to implement significant steps to restrain China will inevitably put an end to the U.S. supremacy in the coming decades.

Thus, chief objective standing before the U.S. is a need to substantially weaken China. It is the very national interests that the policy of the U.S. State Department is built upon. Recent developments in Brazil must be viewed from that perspective.

Z.R.