O Brasil frente os regimes de desarmamento humanitário : um estudo do caso de Munições Cluster (2008)

This dissertation had the objective of analyzing the formation of the Brazilian position towards the Convention on Cluster Munitions (2008), in order to examine why Brazil decided to remain outside that regime, adopting as a main focus of analysis the interaction between diplomats and military in the decision-making process. Once defined the main concepts and analytical framework to be used, the traditional regimes of arms control and disarmament developed throughout the twentieth century was studied as well as the Brazilian position towards them. Considering that, the emergence and the characteristics of the so-called humanitarian disarmament regimes was examined, as well as the Oslo Process and the resulting Convention on Cluster Munitions. The study of Brazil's position in this regime revealed that the government's decision to remain outside this regime was a reflection of the appreciation of the defense sector in the national level during the Lula government, legitimized by the foreign policy objectives outlined in that period. It was observed a return to the defense and security prospects along the lines of 1970s, associated to the strategic importance attached to cluster munitions and the criticisms made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to that regime. Finally, a critical discussion on the Brazilian position in the cluster munitions regime was conducted, pointing to inconsistencies in the official discourse of the Brazilian government and a necessary, though unlikely, review of the adopted position.