Brazilian Cyber Power A New Perspective on the Expression of National Power
Date of Publication
1-1-2023 12:00 AM
Security Theme
Cybersecurity
Keywords
Brazil, Cybersecurity, Cyber Threat, Strategy
Description
How important is defense in a country like Brazil, with shortages in several other areas such as health, safety, and education? We’ve heard this question several times in debates on media programs, in the press, and in scientific articles. The premise of this question is based on the absence of external and internal “traditional” threats (as defined by international relations theories) that may affect our integrity as a nation. This logic may lead us to the conclusion that defense should not be a priority in the development of our national policies and should be considered a matter of “low politics.” To refute this reasoning, we chose to use the theory of lateral pressure (Choucri, 2012), which says that nations have a natural tendency to extend their influence and/or territory to meet the domestic demands of their population. So to increase its presence, physical or otherwise, beyond its borders, a country will apply “lateral pressure” in another country or countries at the desired position. Thus, we conclude that lateral pressure is part of international relations between states.
Brazilian Cyber Power A New Perspective on the Expression of National Power
How important is defense in a country like Brazil, with shortages in several other areas such as health, safety, and education? We’ve heard this question several times in debates on media programs, in the press, and in scientific articles. The premise of this question is based on the absence of external and internal “traditional” threats (as defined by international relations theories) that may affect our integrity as a nation. This logic may lead us to the conclusion that defense should not be a priority in the development of our national policies and should be considered a matter of “low politics.” To refute this reasoning, we chose to use the theory of lateral pressure (Choucri, 2012), which says that nations have a natural tendency to extend their influence and/or territory to meet the domestic demands of their population. So to increase its presence, physical or otherwise, beyond its borders, a country will apply “lateral pressure” in another country or countries at the desired position. Thus, we conclude that lateral pressure is part of international relations between states.
