THE AMAZON IN THE BRAZILIAN GEOPOLITICAL THOUGHT

Abstract

Due to its wealth and geographic position, reflections on the Amazon have always been present in Brazilian geopolitical thought. This paper aims to succinctly systematize the evolution of Brazilian geopolitical thought on the Amazon, showing how it evolved from a national perspective to an integrative South American view, and from a uniquely state perspective to the inclusion of other actors in the analysis, without failing to see the State as the most relevant actor. At the same time, it points out how valuable the Amazon and the relationship with South American countries are from a strategic and socioeconomic development point of view, and how important its occupation, integration and development are to repeal external greed. The text summarizes five selected Brazilian authors, using at least one work by each author, systematizing them into three periods: Mário Travassos, in the formation of Brazilian geopolitical thought in the 1920s-1930s; the Cold War period, with Golbery do Couto e Silva and Carlos de Meira Mattos; and after the Cold War, with Therezinha de Castro and Bertha Becker. The article is organized according to the periods cited and original works by the authors are used, as well as secondary productions by specialists are occasionally used.