The Military Influence on Industrial Policies in Brazil During the 20th and Early 21st Centuries

Abstract

The defense industry is a part of a country’s industrial base and often has multiple uses, serving both civilian and military purposes. It does not stand alone and is a significant part of the country’s industry. From this perspective, the article demonstrates the military influence on Brazil’s industrialization policies. This influence was not always vested with legitimacy, as in the 1964 coup d’état and the subsequent military government (1964-1985). Furthermore, this influence was not always caused by internal reasons. Political-military events, such as World War I, and especially World War II, have directly affected the country’s industrialization policies. The methodology employed is a review of policies, institutions, laws, and historical facts. The conclusions highlight that during the 20th century Brazil went from the stage of not producing defense equipment to the status of one of the largest exporters in the world. This role underwent profound changes in the 1990s and 2000s. However, if a new military regime takes power in Brazil, when this regime ends, what happened in the 1990s may repeat itself, with deindustrialization and the subsequent dismantling of what remains of the defense industry, which would also affect the civilian industry.