Fourteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

After the re-democratization cycle in the 1980s, most South American countries alternated neoliberal periods with the strengthening of so-called “progressive governments”. In recent years, however, social, political and economic crises have made it possible for center-right and right-wing parties to be elected. In Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Peru, the resurgence of the “new right” came first with a discourse based on distrust of the parties and politics itself, with the emphasis on the need for less state action and market mechanisms. The study examines whether the new right, now in power, has had new directions in a specific public policy, namely foreign policy focused on regional integration and strengthening of South America, highlighting what the positions of these new governments have been. Understanding foreign policy as public policy, the study analyzes whether there has been a change in this policy in relation to previous governments, observing the paradigms of action of each government. In order to reach these objectives, the causes of the emergence of the new right in each of the contexts is investigated, highlighting the political system, societa,l and economic aspects. Secondly, an analysis is made of the main patterns of election of the new right with regard to foreign policy, ascertaining the existence of regional integration policies in government programs. Thirdly, the study considers the positioning of Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the President of each country in emblematic cases, analyzing official documents, speeches, and social networks.