Este artigo aborda a grande estratégia do Barão do Rio Branco e o papel que o programa de reorganização naval (1904-1910) desempenhou nesse contexto. O estudo de caso realizado determinou os condicionantes domésticos e internacionais daquele programa, assim como a mundivisão do patrono da diplomacia brasileira a respeito da instrumentalidade do poder militar para a condução da política externa.

This article addresses Baron of Rio Branco's grand strategy and the role played by the naval reorganization program (1904-1910) in this context. The ensuing case study determined the domestic and international constraints that affected the program, as well as the worldview of the patron of Brazilian diplomacy regarding military power's instrumentality to foreign policy.

Military recruitment in Brazil is a "non-issue". Given the lack of research on the subject, the current article attempted to approach it in conceptual terms in order to back potential discussions in the future. The implications of the current draft system for the Brazilian Army were analyzed. Future demands on the Brazilian Armed Forces in relation to international security were outlined. Based on this potential scenario, the ideal military profile for the country was inferred. The study suggests changes in the recruitment system to allow the Army to adjust its current structure to the detected needs. The analysis indicates that the proposed reform can only be carried out through a decision emanating from the country's civilian leadership.

Le recrutement militaire au Brésil est dans l'impasse. Face à l'absence d'une réflexion sur le sujet, on a essayé d'aborder la question en termes conceptuels de façon à délimiter de possibles discussions ultérieures. On a analysé les retombées, pour l'armée brésilienne, de l'actuel système de conscription. On a esquissé les demandes futures à l'échelon de la sécurité internationale influant sur les forces armées. À partir du cadre mis en place, on a imaginé le profil militaire souhaitable pour le pays. On a suggéré un changement dans le système d'enrôlement permettant à l'Armée de rendre sa structure actuelle compatible avec les besoins constatés. On avance que la réforme proposée ne pourra aboutir que par le moyen d'une décision venant des leaderships civils de la nation.

Este artigo pretendeu refletir sobre a instrumentalidade do poder militar para a política externa brasileira no pós-Guerra Fria. Definiu-se a moldura teórica de interpretação do relacionamento entre unidades soberanas. Discutiram-se as peculiaridades do complexo de segurança da América do Sul e o papel do Brasil na sua conformação. Analisaram-se os entraves à condução virtuosa da política de defesa e as dificuldades de articulação entre esta e a política externa. Sugeriram-se iniciativas visando ao aprimoramento da interface entre as políticas externa e de defesa.

This article intended to investigate the instrumentality of military power for Brazil's foreign policy in the post-Cold War era. A theoretical framework for the interpretation of sovereign unities' relationship was delimitated. South America's security complex and Brazil's role in its conformation were discussed. Problems related to Brazil's defense policy and the difficulties concerning its proper articulation with foreign policy were analyzed. Finally, initiatives were suggested that could contribute to the improvement of Brazil's foreign and defense policies' interface.

Esse artigo tem por objetivo gerar hipóteses sobre a articulação entre política externa e política de defesa na gestão Cardoso. Partiu-se de estudo de caso sobre a formulação da Política de Defesa Nacional (PDN) e as conseqüências dessa para a institucionalização do Ministério da Defesa (MD). Constatou-se a baixa prioridade atribuída pela diplomacia ao poder militar como ferramenta de política externa. Finalmente, explicitou-se a inexistência de mecanismos efetivos de articulação.

This article has the objective of producing hypotheses on the articulation between foreign and defense policies during President's Cardoso administration. Initially, a case study on the formulation of the National Defense Policy Document (PDN) and its consequences to the institutionalization of the Defense Ministry (MD) was conducted. The low priority Brazilian diplomacy attributes to military power as a foreign policy tool was established. Finally, the lack of effective articulation mechanisms between foreign and defense policies was stressed.