Amazon decoded

: a detailed investigation of European and Brazilian policies and discourses

Abstract

This thesis delves into the policies and discourses surrounding the Amazon region in the last 20 years. Starting with the Presidency of Lula in 2003 and ending in his re-election for a third term, beginning in 2023. It aims to answer the question: What are the policies and discourses in Europe and Brazil regarding the Amazon region and what have been their effects? Chapter I Introduces the topic and the research questions. Chapter II is an analysis of existent literature on the subject and states the research’s contribution. Chapter III provides the theoretical framework and the methodology. Subsequently, in Chapter IV the main Actors in the Brazilian Amazon are described. Afterwards, in Chapter V (Lula), Chapter VI (Dilma and Temer) and Chapter VII (Bolsonaro), the policies and discourse of the main actors on both sides of the Atlantic are tracked chronologically and compared against benchmarks for development, deforestation, and indigenous rights. Overall, this research work provides a compelling, even if necessarily partial, account and analysis of the last 20 years in this crucial region of the world that can constitute the basis for further research.

Date of Award	30 Oct 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	João Pereira Coutinho (Supervisor)