Portuguese Journal of Social Science 17.2 is now available

 Intellect is happy to announce that the Portuguese Journal of Social
Science 17.2 is now available! For more information about the issue, click
here >> https://bit.ly/2SPIZt9

Special issue: Different Perspectives on Change and Conflict in the
Transatlantic World

Contents

*Different perspectives on changes and conflict in the transatlantic world*

Authors: Cátia Miriam Costa And Luis A. Fretes Carreras
Page Start: 125

The panel ‘Transatlantic changes within economic crisis and global
conflicts’ was presented in the international relations topic area at the
CEISAL Congress in Salamanca in 2016. From this panel, we decided to select
the presentations that represented a broader perspective of Atlantic
relations, covering international relations, economics and literature. This
selection gave origin to this special issue to rethink the exchanges during
our debate. The articles included embody an approach to contemporary
challenges in this area of the world, contributing to the emerging
literature on transatlantic relations. We intend to contribute to an
interdisciplinary perception of transatlantic relations, and by focusing on
relations between Latin America and the other side of the Atlantic,
including Europe and the Middle East, we will move the traditional
standpoint based on US/Europe relations.

*Living trapped in-between spaces: Literary works of displaced Argentine
women writers in Spain*

Authors: María Luz Bort Caballero
Page Start: 131

The dictatorships of South America motivated many writers to go overseas in
the 1970s. Repression, persecution and the disappearance of intellectuals
in Argentina created a need to look towards displacement and exile as
alternatives to survive and escape from the atrocities committed by the
regime that took power following the 1976 military coup. Some women writers
found refuge in this new literary space: a place that allowed them to face
the dilemma of ‘living in-between’ and at the same time to locate a part of
the historical memory of Argentina. This article focuses on the works of
Clara Obligado, Ana Becciu, Reina Roffé, Juana Bignozzi and Noni Benegas:
transatlantic writers who fled to and installed themselves in Spain during
this time of transition. This article studies the ‘writing of the double
place’, the narrative of absence and memory of a place of origin. It also
analyses the representation of Spain as a host site in their works and as a
means of finding their voices, reflecting and conversing with their double
existential situation of being ‘in-between’ spaces.

*The pursuit of the (Latin) American dream in the time of crises:
Portugal’s diplomatic and commercial changes towards the region (2005–15)*

Authors: Luis A. Fretes Carreras And Marcelo Moriconi
Page Start: 141

To overcome the global crisis, Portugal sought to internationalize its
economy. Latin America, a region that grew steadily for a decade, has
become a region of interest for the Iberian country. This article analyses
the changes to the diplomatic and commercial schemes between both regions
and explains how, when, by whom and through which strategies these
relations have been modified. While Brazil continues to be the privileged
partner, Portugal is strengthening its relationship with new strategic
countries, primarily the components of the Pacific Alliance. As a result,
the historical negative balance of trade became positive in 2012. The data
show greater dynamism in commercial exchanges and political relations in
recent years and the incorporation of new political actors designed to
stimulate and deepen bilateral relations. Although several authors point to
Portugal as a state that promotes economic diplomacy, this article suggests
that what has prevailed in strengthening relations with Latin America is a
commercial and business diplomacy, leaning heavily on key political actors
and ‘anchor’ companies installed in the new markets. The ideological
affinity of governments appears to be a determining factor in extending
political and commercial ties. As other works have shown, this case study
proves a positive correlation between trade/investment state agencies and
diplomatic activities and the increase in bilateral trade flows.

*Aspects of international economic policy in Brazil during the New State
(1937–45) and the ‘crash’ of the Cyrilla Beverage Company of Santa Maria*

Authors: Bruna Lima And Maria Medianeira Padoin
Page Start: 167

The general theme permeating this work is related to development policies
undertaken by the Brazilian government during the New State (1937–45) and
the way in which they were articulated within the international scene,
specifically with countries such as Germany and the United States. The link
made with the Cyrilla Beverage Company of Santa Maria helps us understand
that part of the negotiations for the establishment of multinational
beverage companies were being made internationally, in view of the ‘crash’
of 1942, at the height of the Second World War. The authors have employed a
literature analysis of works dealing with this subject, especially those on
the Brazilian crash and development policies. Documents involving Cyrilla
during that period were consulted and included in this work, which is part
of the research being developed as part of the doctoral course in history
at the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil.

*The strategic alliance between Chávez and Ahmadinejad, and its impact on
international institutions, from a peripheral-realist perspective*

Authors: Carmen Pereira Stallaert
Page Start: 179

The Chávez–Ahmadinejad era (2005–13) was marked by a growing rapprochement
between Venezuela and Iran not only based on common oil interests but also
at the cultural, diplomatic and military level. The objective of this
article is to analyse the impact of this counter-hegemonic alignment in the
international scene in light of the theory of peripheral realism. First, we
briefly outline how the relationship was built during the Chávez and
Ahmadinejad presidencies underpinned by a shared ideological
anti-Americanism. Second, we define the concept of peripheral realism to
examine the impact of the Venezuela–Iran partnership in the context of
three international institutions: ALBA, OPEC and the UN Security Council.
To conclude, we interpret the Iran–Venezuela axis from a peripheral-realist
perspective and reflect upon the sustainability of this alliance in the
aftermath of Chávez’s death and a change of leadership in both Venezuela
and Iran.

*The European Union and Latin America: The configuration of interregional
and transatlantic cooperation*

Authors: Violetta Tayar
Page Start: 199

This article analyses the European strategy of partnership towards Latin
American and Caribbean countries during the twenty-first century. The
author singles out the main stages (cycles) of the negotiation processes
between the two regions and gives an assessment of the trade and economic
relations and priorities existing on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Also
examined are the possible risks and consequences for Latin American and
Caribbean countries in the event of profound transatlantic cooperation
between the European Union (EU) and the United States.

*Russia and Latin America: Renewal versus continuity*

Authors: Victor Jeifets And Lilia Khadorich And Yana Leksyutina
Page Start: 213

After neglecting Latin America for over a decade, Russia has recently
displayed pronounced interest in expanding its presence in the region. This
article aims to examine Russia’s contemporary foreign policy towards Latin
America and to define whether Moscow’s new strategy is a continuation of
the former Soviet presence in the region or whether Russia has introduced
some new elements. After identifying the motives behind Moscow’s renewed
interest, the authors analyse the issue with a focus on diplomatic,
economic and military activities. The article concludes that despite the
tangible progress, there are still many limitations, including conceptual
ones. Moreover, Moscow faces keen political and economic competition in the
region, from actors old – such as the United States – and new – such as
China.

*Direct democracy, ‘plebiscitarianism’ and military rule: Is the Portuguese
normative view of democracy multidimensional?*

Authors: Goffredo Adinolfi
Page Start: 229

In its annual report, Freedom House stresses how ‘[...] after years of
major gains, the share of free countries has declined over the past decade,
while the share of not free countries has risen’. In this depiction of the
profound crisis of mainstream political parties, Portugal is a clear
exception: unlike in Spain with Podemos, Italy with the Movimento 5 Stelle
and Greece with Syriza, new anti-system parties did not find the political
spaces in which to operate. However, we need to understand whether the
absence of such parties in parliament corresponds with a matching absence
in public opinion of support for forms of disfigured democracy and
underlying factors. This article is based on quantitative methods and
multilevel analysis. Findings indicate that in Portugal the normative view
of democracy is consistent on many levels with that of Europeans in
general: unanimous support for democracy (90%), alongside backing for
different forms of democracy – direct democracy (80%), partial democracy
(50%, plebiscitary and technocratic) and authoritarian rule (18%).
Nevertheless, we can still detect differences in the underlying factors on
the level of illegitimacy and cognitive and political mobilization.

*Police and military forces in Timor-Leste: Are they a source of peace or
conflict?*

Authors: Teresa Cierco
Page Start: 249

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