Influência dos grupos de interesses do Brasil e da Argentina no Mercosul : o caso do setor açucareiro

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of interest groups on the regional integration process of Mercosur, focusing on relations between Brazil and Argentina from 1995 to 2010. The research is divided into three main parts. First, a historical analysis of the evolution of Mercosur is presented, highlighting the main advances, crises and challenges faced by the bloc in different political and economic contexts. Next, the study addresses fundamental theories for understanding the role of interest groups, such as Andrew Moravcsik's liberal intergovernmentalism and Robert Putnam's two-level game theory. These theories explain how domestic interests shape the positions of states in international negotiations, especially in the context of Mercosur. Finally, the work analyzes the conflict of specific interests in the sugar sector between Brazil and Argentina, where pressures from economic sectors in both countries directly impacted negotiations within the bloc. The results show that Mercosur integration is strongly conditioned by the need for governments to balance internal demands and regional commitments. It is concluded that the ability to reconcile the interests of domestic groups is crucial to the success of negotiations within the bloc, highlighting the challenges for deeper integration within Mercosur.