Jessica Gomes
GEM-STONES Doctoral Fellow
PhD POSITION IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & COMPARATIVE REGIONALISM ON "COMPETING FORMS OF REGIONALISM AND EU INTERREGIONALISM"
Host Institutions
Supervisors
Thesis Title
The formation of National Role Conceptions in regional institutions: the case of Brazil in MERCOSUR and Germany in the EU
Research Abstract
This present research was motivated by the observation of a thought-provoking puzzle, which came from the examination of the literature concerning the regional leadership roles of Brazil and Germany. In this regard, Brazil was often classified as a “consensual hegemon” (Burges 2008) and a “leader without followers” (Malamud 2011). In its turn, the literature labelled Germany as a “reluctant hegemon” (Paterson 2011) and as a “benign hegemon” (Morisse-Schilbach 2011). In this context, authors argued that Brazil claimed for being a leader in South America, but failed to count on the support of its neighbours. According to a large part of the literature, Germany was asked by its European peers to act as a leader, but eschewed from recognizing itself as one. Hence, the research puzzle came to fruition - in matters of being a regional leader, a contrast was found between Brazil and Germany that no other countries in their respective region presented: Brazil wanted it, but could not have it; Germany had it, but did not want it. Thus, the quest for explaining this puzzle guided this doctoral thesis. But rather than focusing exclusively on which role(s) both countries played in their region or even disputing the existing categories of roles created by the literature, this research delved on examining the elements that influence the development of potential role(s) by examining the creation of national role conceptions. In this sense, the research question presented here is of how National Role Conceptions were developed in relation to MERCOSUR and the EU during the mandates of Lula (2003-2006) and Merkel (2005-2009), respectively. The study of role conceptions is embedded in the framework of Role Theory, and the national role conception flowchart originally conceived by Breuning (2011, p.26) was tested by this research as a theoretical model. Adopting a constructivist ontology and an interpretivist epistemology, this research assessed with the help of Narrative Analysis 70 speeches delivered by Lula and 104 speeches given by Merkel during the selected timeframes, in order to investigate identity narratives concerning their respective countries and regional institutions. Database from Latinobarómetro, Eurobarometer, and the World Bank were also employed.
Case-studies
Brazil’s influence in MERCOSUR during Luis Inácio Lula da Silva (2003-2006)
Germany’s influence in the European Union during Angela Merkel (2005-2009).
Findings
The results obtained by this research when applying the analytical flowchart proposed by Breuning (2011, p.26) explain the research puzzle: Brazil cannot have reginal leadership because it does not perform it when the opportunities to act arise; and Germany does not want regional leadership because it is not aligned with its identity and cultural heritage. Furthermore, the main findings reveal that Brazil performed a discursive leadership, while Germany enacted a de facto leadership. Neither country combined both types of leadership when acting regionally.
Societal Relevance
Brazil is a key player in the Latin America integration process. Its intent to be a leader in the region intensified during the Lula da Silva administration (2003-2010), a time in which the domestic scenario - i.e. strong economy and political stability - could subsizied the idea of Brazilian's grandiose in the continent. Parallel to this was the insurgance of what the so called "a new middle class", due to programs of redistribution of income. In this sense, the country's diplomatic efforts to strengthen MERCOSUR and other integrational initiatives was clear. Brazil also formed alliances with the Global South - BRICS, IBAS, BASIC - and proposed the reformulation of the international decision making process. The presidency had the goal of using international relations to foster the internal growth, as well as using the prosperous momentum to leverage a bigger participation of Brazil in the international sphere.
Germany, on the other hand, is a prominent leader in the European Union, but it faces some challenges recognizing it. Some research points out the lack of interest in the German society to the country's more proeminent role in the international scenario. But Merkel's leading role in the moderation and resolution of the recent EU crisis show a tendency to act as a de facto leader, even though that could entail some anxiety regarding Germany's past.
I am currently a GEM-STONES Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellow at the University of Hamburg and at the Université libre de Bruxelles. I am also an associated doctoral researcher at GIGA-Hamburg, at Centre d’Etude de la Vie Politique (CEVIPOL/ULB), and at AmericaS (Centre interdisciplinaire d'étude des Amériques, Maison des Sciences Humaines/ULB).
I hold a MA in International Relations from the Rio de Janeiro State University and a BA in International Relations from the Fluminense Federal University.
Even though I was born at the other side of the Atlantic, the European Union has always interested me. My research analyses how key countries affect the outcomes in regional institutions, and what their roles in these processes are. The cases selected were Brazil in MERCOSUR during Lula’s government, and Germany in the European Union on Merkel’s administration.
My research interests include foreign policy, regionalism, international institutions and theory of international relations.
Gomes, Jessica; Saraiva, Miriam Gomes. Case Studies (forthcoming book chapter). Morin, J.F.; Olsson, C.; Atikan, E.O (eds). Key Concepts in Research Methods. Routledge.
Luciano Gomes, Jéssica. (2018). De pária a paymaster: o papel da Alemanha na União Europeia (1951-2015). [From pariah to paymaster: the role of Germany in the EU]. Concurso de Monografias da União Europeia. Brasília: Delegação da União Europeia no Brasil, pp. 17-39.
Saraiva, Miriam Gomes; Luciano Gomes, Jéssica. (2018). The strategic partnership between Brazil and the European Union and the dialogues in Human Rights: a case of policy transfer?. Hernández, B. and Gordín, J. (eds.). Aprendizajes políticos entre la Unión Europea y América Latina. Santiago: Ril Editores, pp.99-120.
Luciano Gomes, Jéssica. (2015). A decisão do Tribunal de Justiça da União Europeia nos casos C-71/11 e C-99/11: uma análise da condição do refugiado no direito europeu [The European Union Court Justice decision on cases C-71/91 and C-99/11: an analysis on the conditions of refugees in European Law]. Revista do Programa de Direito da União Europeia, Editora FGV, 4, p.100-118.
Luciano Gomes, Jéssica. (2014). Uma breve análise acerca dos resultados dos partidos eurocéticos nas eleições 2014 ao Parlamento Europeu [A brief analysis on the Eurosceptic parties in the 2014 European Parliament Elections]. Mundorama (online).
Luciano Gomes, Jessica. (2014). A nova extrema-direita alemã: possíveis desafios para a Alemanha e para a União Europeia [The new German far-right parties: possible challenges for Germany and for the European Union]. Revista InterAção, 7, p.72-93.
2018: ECPR General Conference, Hamburg.
Paper presented: Regional Powers, Political Parties, and Practices of Regionalism: The Cases of Brazil and of Germany.
2017: GEM-STONES Summer School at Université de Gèneve, Switzerland.
Outline of future paper: Liberalism vs. Protectionism: why ideas, values and beliefs can obstruct the MERCOSUR-EU trade agreement
2017: GEM-STONES Annual Conference at LUISS Guido Carli, Rome, Italy.
Draft of research thesis presented: Measuring Brazil’s and Germany’s influence in MERCOSUR and in the EU (working title).
2017: 1st GEM-STONES AGORA FORUM at Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Draft of research thesis presented: Comparing competing forms of regionalism and their impact on EU interregionalism
2016: Germany’s and Brazil’s Changing Foreign Policy Workshop at Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ)
Paper presented: Challenges for German Foreign Policy: A Brazilian Perspective
2016: VIII European Academic Journeys at University of Sao Paulo (USP)
Paper presented: Germany’s influence on mediation and crises management in the European Union.
2015: IV Brazilian Forum on Political Science at Federal Fluminense University (UFF)
Paper presented: Brazil and Germany, two interregional partners.
2014: Symposium of International Relations Students at Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ)
Paper presented: An analysis on the results of the 2014 European Parliament elections.
- First place in the 6th EU Monograph Contest promoted by the Delegation of the European Union to Brazil, with a monograph entitled “From pariah to paymaster: the role of Germany in the European Union (1951-2015)”. Brasília, 2016.
- Marie Sklodowska-Curie Fellowship, in the realm of the GEM-STONES project. Hamburg and Brussels, 2017.
- Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support Foundation (FAPERJ) Fellowship. Rio de Janeiro, 2014-2016.
- Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD). Winter course for undergraduate students in the Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany, 2012.
- National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) Fellowship. Niterói, 2009-2012.
2017: General Academic Communication in English
Université libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
2017: Rising Powers in World Politics
GIGA-Hamburg, Germany.
2017: QCA and Case Selection
GIGA-Hamburg, Germany.
2017: GEM-STONES Spring Methods Workshop on Concept building and consistency
GIGA-Hamburg, Germany.
2015: School on the EU - in the face of new challenges
Getulio Vargas Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2014: School on the European Union - the EU looking East
Getulio Vargas Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2014: Jean Monnet Programme on European Union Law
Getulio Vargas Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2012: Sixty years of the Federal Republic of Germany - political and social development of the Bundesrepublik
Albert-Ludwigs Universität, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
2012: Germany in the 20th century - art, literature and film
Albert-Ludwigs Universität, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
2012: State and society in contemporary China
Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2012: School on the European Union - the Future of EU
Getulio Vargas Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Deutsche Welle, 23/08/19. Amazon fires: Can international pressure help put them out?. https://www.dw.com/en/amazon-fires-can-international-pressure-help-put-them-out/a-50141043 (Quotation in article).
Portuguese (native), English (fluent), German (good commmand), Spanish (working knowledge), French (working knowledge).
