James Currey Brazil-Africa Relations: Historical Dimensions and Contemporary Engagements, From the 1960s to the Present

Review This valuable book, with a blizzard of facts and figures, demonstrates that official Brazilian interest in Africa has been spasmodic, and has not truly represented the fact that at least 51 per cent of the population are of African descent. ― THE ROUND TABLEThis book presents important contributions, ― African Studies ReviewChronicling six decades of relations between a state actor on one side and a continent on the other is no easy feat, especially in the form of an edited volume of diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Editors Seibert and Visentini step up to the plate in the aptly named Brazil-Africa Relations: Historical Dimensions and Contemporary Engagements, From the 1960s to the Present. Amid the different levels of criticism and depths of analysis in its seven chapters, the book holds an impressive breadth of knowledge. -- Ana Beatriz Ribeiro ― Austrian Journal of Development Studies Product Description When Lula da Silva became President of Brazil in 2003 he declared Africa a priority of his country's ambitious global foreign policy. Since then, Brazil has become one of the key emergent powers in Africa by strengthening political ties and trade with the continent. While, due to a worsening economy, the Dilma and Temer presidencies have other political priorities, strong links with the continent continue to exist. The authors trace the long history of Brazil-Africa relations from the early 16th century and the slave trade, through their decline during European colonialism, their resurgence following many African countries' independence, fluctuations during Brazil's military rule in the 1960s and '70s, to the expansion of its interests under Lula and the first years under Dilma. Taking a broad range of perspectives, they examine: the way in which the rights of those of African descent have become increasingly recognized without having brought racial equality; the strengthening links of Brazilian Pentecostal Churches; the growth of South-South cooperation; and Brazil-Africa relations in the South Atlantic context. The final chapter looks at the wider implications of the present political and economic crises for Brazil's future foreign policy in Africa, and the impact of the new leadership in late 2018. In association with the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). About the Author Gerhard Seibert is lecturer at the Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira (UNILAB), Brazil; Paulo Fagundes Visentini is Professor of Economics and International Relations at the Brazilian Centre of Strategy and International Relations, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)