Brazil-China Relations from the Perspective of Dependency Theory: Political Dimensions and Development Paths

This article examines the historical and contemporary trajectories of Brazil and China through the analytical lens of dependency theory, emphasizing how external capital, domestic coalitions, and state strategies have shaped their economic development. Drawing on a comparative-historical approach, the study traces Brazil’s path from the mid–20th century “new dependency” phase—marked by accelerated industrialization tied to foreign capital—to the 21st century, in which structural vulnerabilities persist despite global integration. In contrast, China pursued a state-led development model that combined selective openness to transnational groups with the preservation of policy space, enabling both technological learning and an improved bargaining position in the global economy. The analysis highlights how these two trajectories reinforced economic asymmetries: while both countries registered economic gains, distribution was profoundly unequal, with Brazil remaining largely dependent on primary exports and China consolidating its position as a major industrial and technological power. By integrating insights from structuralist and neo-dependency perspectives, the article argues that dependency theory retains significant explanatory power in understanding the dynamics of development and underdevelopment in the Global South. The findings contribute to ongoing debates about state capacity, external constraints, and the prospects for more autonomous development strategies under conditions of global capitalism.