No 8 (2024)

According to the author of the article, the expansion of the sphere of interaction between Russia and the countries of the region south of the Rio Grande del Norte observed in recent decades is due to a certain (despite all the numerous specific differences) commonality of the deep spiritual and value foundations of the civilizations of Russia-Eurasia and Latin America. The main one is belonging to the same, “borderline” civilizational type, the defining characteristic of which (the dominant feature of diversity while maintaining unity sui generis, generating a type of sociocultural systematicity that is qualitatively different from that which is present in the great civilizations of the East and West), in its turn, is determined by the same way of forming the dialogical basis of sociality, embodied in the “inclusive” discourse. The work traces the main stages of the formation of this discourse in Russia and Latin America. The author shows that the presence of these initial common characteristics is manifested in the same (despite specific historical differences) type of rationality, the absence of antagonism between faith and rationality, an essentially identical approach to the problem of modernization, and finally, the same geopolitical orientation towards the formation of a polycentric world order.

For the first time in the domestic and international scientific literature, the article analyzes the evolution of concepts of infrastructure development in Latin American countries (LAC), recommendations of international and regional economic organizations. It is noted that conceptual approaches to solving problems of infrastructure development in LAC have changed from dirigiste to neoliberal and from the latter to a combination of various doctrines in the concept of neostructuralism and the theory of sustainable development. All the concepts considered contributed to development of many practical recommendations and to creation of a wide arsenal of state economic policy tools for the development of infrastructure sectors. The attitude of regional organizations and the governments of LAC countries to the infrastructure has changed almost radically: from inattention in the 50s—60s of the last century to understanding its importance as one of the key elements of economic development and social progress. The recommendations concerning infrastructure for protection against natural disasters, transport and logistics, telecommunications and digitalization of the economy are most in demand from Latin American governments.

The article examines current trends in the foreign trade in goods between Russia and Brazil in the context of geopolitical tensions and anti-Russian sanctions of “unfriendly” countries. A detailed analysis of the structure of exports and imports in terms of analytical product groups is presented. Changes in the dynamics and structure of mutual trade are revealed. The main drivers and impediments for the further development of trade between Russia and Brazil, including issues of access to the countries' markets, are identified.

The article examines the events of the Guarani War of 1754-1756, which became a logical continuation of the riots on the Eastern Bank of the river Uruguay risen against the terms of the Treaty of Madrid in 1750. Indigenous people fought for the right to remain in their native land, and the Jesuits tried hard to cancel the term of transmigration in a diplomatic way, relying on the legal mechanisms of royal patronage. The war itself was skillfully used for anti-Jesuit propaganda, and the myth of the “Indian Emperor” was used to justify delays in the implementation of the Treaty of Madrid and its victims.

A review of the annual meeting of the Association for Ibero-American Studies. It contains the summary of political and economic development of the region in 2023—2024. Also took place the presentation of book publications. Reports of colleagues from regional centers of the Association were heard.