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| 'Federative Republic of Brazil
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The Federative Republic of Brazil is considered as one of the possible emerging Great powers of the world.<ref> Brazil's International Relations in the twentieth century: History and Teory Oxford University</ref> This potential is attributed due to several indicators, the primary ones being its demographic trends and a rapidly expanding economy.<ref> We must not kowtow to these undemocratic giants, Timothy Garton Ash</ref> However the country suffers from many economic, social, and political problems that it must overcome before it can be considered a great power.

Brazil is currently the world's 10º largest economy <ref> CIA World Factbook </ref> in terms of real GDP (PPP) and the 11º largest economy <ref> International Monetary Fund World Economic Outlook Database, April 2006 </ref> in terms of nominal GDP (market exchange rates). Its steady economy attracts external investments, improving the economy. In 2005, the Brazil paid to all its external debt, gaining credibility. In 4 years, the country folded its exportations, its trade balance had a surplus of 45 billion dollar <ref> Latin Focus Trade Balance of Brazil </ref>.

Brazil has been touted as an emerging superpower since the early 1980s.<ref> Dateline Brazil: Southern Superpower, Jim Brooke, Foreign Policy, No. 44 (Autumn, 1981), pp. 167-180</ref>

Brazil has been considered an emerging major power for many years now. Most recently it has been identified, along with China, Russia, and India, as having the potential to be one of the dominant global economies by 2050 (the BRIC thesis).<ref> Foreign Affairs The Lonely Superpower</ref>
<ref> Brazil is becoming an economic and political superpower Jonathan Power</ref>

Factors

Military Factors

Brazil has not developed nuclear weapons nor any effective missile delivery system.

The Brazilian military is small and inadequately equipped.

Economic Factors

Among the emerging markets that form BRIC, Brazil is the most integrated and important member in the international capital markets, followed by Russia. China and India are still infant nations concerning this parameter.<ref> Indymedia Putin planning to glue together the most powerful superpower coalition in the world</ref>

Brazil possesses an industrialized economy, having the 9th largest GDP (PPP) in the world, being the core economy of Mercosur or an eventual South American Community of Nations. Goods exported include steel, electronics, cars and buses, airplanes (Embraer is the fourth largest airplane maker), agricultural equipment, ships and engines among others.

Brazil is already an important exporter platform for South America, utilized by many multinationals.

The country is an important commodity (mineral and agricultural) producer.

Political Factors

The country's population is the 5th largest in the world <ref> List of Countries by population</ref>

Brazil has yet to gain any imposing and decisive presence and influence at many international forums, at the level of other powers.

Brazil is an important contributor to the peacekeeping troops of United Nations and is claiming a permanent seat (along with Japan, India and Germany) at the UN Security Council.

The country is a leader among developing countries in diverse questions such as trade disputes at the World Trade Organization.

Economy

Possessing large and well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, as well as a large labor pool, Brazil's GDP (PPP) outweighs that of any other Latin American country, being the core economy of Mercosur. The country has been expanding its presence in world markets. Major export products include aircraft, coffee, vehicles, soybean, iron ore, orange juice, steel, textiles, footwear and electrical equipment.

According to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Brazil has the ninth largest economy in the world at Purchasing Power Parity and eleventh largest at market exchange rates. Brazil has a diversified middle income economy with wide variations in development levels. Most large industry is agglomerated in the South and South-East. The North-East is the poorest region of Brazil, but it is beginning to attract new investment.
Brazil has the most advanced industrial sector in Latin America. Amounting to one-third of GDP, Brazil's diverse industries range from automobiles, steel and petrochemicals to computers, aircraft, and consumer durables. With the increased economic stability provided by the Plano Real, Brazilian and multinational businesses have invested heavily in new equipment and technology, a large proportion of which has been purchased from North American enterprises.
Brazil has a diverse and sophisticated services industry as well. During the early 1990s, the banking sector amounted to as much as 16% of GDP. Although undergoing a major overhaul, Brazilian financial services industry provides local businesses with a wide range of products and is attracting numerous new entrants, including U.S. financial firms. The São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro stock exchanges are undergoing a consolidation.

Military

The armed forces of Brazil (Portuguese: Forças Armadas do Brasil), comprised of the Brazilian Army, the Brazilian Navy (including the Brazilian Marine Corps and naval aviation), the Brazilian Air Force, and the paramilitary Brazilian Federal Police.

Service obligation and manpower

The CIA World Factbook reports that the military age is 21-45 years for compulsory military service and the service obligation is for nine to 12 months. the military age is 17-45 years of age for voluntary service, and an increasing percentage of the ranks are "long-service" volunteer professionals. Brazil's military manpower as of a 2005 estimate is 45,586,036 males age 19-49 and 45,728,704 females age 19-49 available for military service, and 33,119,098 males age 19-49 and 38,079,722 females age 19-49 fit for military service. A 2005 estimate found 1,785,930 males age 18-49 and 1,731,648 females age 19-49 reach military service age annually.

Males in Brazil are required to serve 12 months (24 months in the air force, 36 in the navy) of military service upon their 18th birthday. Most often, the service is performed in military bases as close as possible to the person's home. The government does not require those planning to attend college or holding a permanent job to serve. There are also several other exceptions, including health reasons, for which one may not have to serve.

Women were allowed to serve in the armed forces beginning in early 1980s, when the Brazilian Army became the first army in South America to accept women into career ranks; women serve in Navy and Air Force only in Women's Reserve Corps.

Technology

Marcos Pontes became the first Brazilian and the first Lusophone to go into space when he launched towards the International Space Station aboard Soyuz TMA-8 on March 30, 2006. He is the first and only Brazilian to join the NASA astronaut training program, although he began training in Russia after NASA's Space Shuttle program encountered problems.

See also

Great power

Brazil

Economy of Brazil

Culture of Brazil

Foreign relations of Brazil

Military of Brazil

History of Brazil

References

<references/>

External links

Goldman Sachs: The BRICs Dream: Web Tour, July 2006

Brazil's Impact on Virginia Agriculture

Brazilian Embassy The Two Brazils