On Lusotropicalism

[ajnovak]

Portuguese Africa (Lusophone Africa for the remainder of this essay) has always been considered to be something different as if it had less in common with Anglo- and Francophone Africa than with the colonial metropolis on the fringe of Europe. To this day, scholarship on Lusophone Africa in the English and French languages lags far far behind the

Comments

[rfmcdpei]

I've a couple of blog postings about Angola, one about the growth of the Portuguese language and the other about Angola's generallly nasty transformations.

Me, I'd tend to agree that the CPLP represents an extension of the old lusotropicalismo, just as la francophonie is an extension of the old French colonial empire. It's worth noting that la francophonie emerged largely as a result of the efforts of Québec to present itself on the international scene via Francophone Africa and Canada's desire to follow suit. Perhaps Brazil's interest in the CPLP derives from a similar desire to extend its influence into formerly Portuguese Africa?

[ajnovak]

That last sentence is exactly correct (and the subject of my last term paper :-D ). Portugal's relations with its former colonies (particularly Angola) were disastrous after 1975; the Portuguese public wanted nothing to do with those Marxist dictatorships that took over; the continued failure of Portuguese diplomacy in East Timor, Angola, and Mozambique frustrated its efforts to return to Africa; and Brazil's military dictatorship began, in 1972, to end its firmly anti-Communist foreign policy, recognizing the Marxist regimes of Angola. Brazil was also on the verge of a massive economic expansion. In short, Brazil was ready to pick up where Portugal had left off

[rfmcdpei]

Most definitely agreed. Despite Brazil's serious dysfunctions, it's nonetheless true that it's an actor of growing influence and power throughout the whole South Atlantic region, in South America and in Africa. It seems to be overlooked.

[ajnovak]

Judging by how difficult it was to find sources for the paper, I'd agree with that overlooked bit ;)

[jdhenchman]

You are such a dork. I love you.