Is Brazil still an emerging economy?

Is Brazil still an emerging economy? The question may seem unusual, but it was indirectly raised by Madeleine Albright, former US Secretary of State, at an event with the presidents of major Brazilian companies. Madeleine's statement — "some even say that Brazil has ceased to be an emerging economy, as it has already emerged" — fuels a fundamental debate for the world today: the reform of international decision-making bodies.

According to the former secretary, the assessment of Brazil has changed due to the performance of the Brazilian economy, which has registered surprising growth rates and investment advances in recent years. We Brazilians know that we need to move forward to leave behind our emerging status and become a developed nation. But this process requires further expanding our participation in the international arena.

Perhaps with the defense made by the former US Secretary of State for a more relevant presence of nations like Brazil, India, and Turkey in international institutions, the Brazilian opposition will decide to support our demand for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council—after all, the opposition is used to following the guidance that comes from abroad.

In any case, there are political and diplomatic reasons to support the reform of organizations such as the UN and the IMF (International Monetary Fund), reasons that are added to those of an economic nature. Perhaps the main one is the transformation of the world order, which went from a bipolar organization during the Cold War, to a unipolar one (USA) with nations of increasing importance and regional influence in the immediate post-fall period after the fall of the Berlin Wall, and today is being reshaped in a context of multipolarity.

In truth, the evolution of emerging economies and their growth potential have already positioned them to assume a more active role. This is an inevitable process in an increasingly interdependent world. In this sense, as President Dilma Rousseff corroborated, "the composition, direction, and participation in the IMF relate to a post-World War II reality." The same applies to the UN.

The biggest obstacle to reforming international organizations lies within developed nations, which do not want to lose decision-making power. But how can we today consider the exclusion of Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa, South Korea, and Turkey, to name just a few, from decisions with international impact?

Defending Brazil's access to the centers of power of the UN and IMF is to recognize that we are a country of growing importance in the world. The fact that we are one of the centers with the least vulnerability to the economic crisis has allowed us to modify our relationship with developed nations. Today, Brazil does have much to teach and will no longer accept the imposition of demands that were previously made upon us.

By highlighting the importance of IMF reform, the position of emerging countries within the organization, and Brazil's permanent membership in the UN Security Council, Dilma reveals that she will not remain silent in this crucial debate for the country's future.

The proposal aims to revitalize international organizations, following the example of the G-8, which was effectively replaced by the G-20. We cannot forget that increasing the IMF's capital is pointless without changing its policies to incorporate the fresh perspective provided by the participation of emerging economies. This will only be possible with a new composition and redistribution of power, whether through the BRICS or through the group of emerging countries as a whole.

The same applies to the UN, which will expand its capacity for diplomatic dialogue if it incorporates emerging nations into its decision-making core, since they are countries of regional influence.

The choice, therefore, is more a question of when and how we will carry out reforms in international organizations. Until then, our role is to continue mobilizing around this objective. In defense of Brazilian interests, but also in defense of a more just world.

José Dirceu, 65, is a lawyer, former Chief of Staff, and member of the PT's National Directorate.