The role of Brazil in developing integration processes on the South American continent
This article describes the role of Brazil in promoting integration processes on the South American continent within MERCOSUR and UNASUR, two largest integration projects with the participation of Brazil. The author explicitly examines the history of establishment of UNASUR, a number of institutions created within its framework and major integration projects. Brazil aspires to strengthen its own geopolitical position in South America and on the international arena by means of consolidation of MERCOSUR and UNASUR but the author concludes that there is a range of factors impeding integration. One of the key problems is that the course of development of these integration groups is characterized by high volatility, which is caused by the replacement of ruling circles. In this regard, the stability of both integration groups is endangered due to the rift between Venezuela and other MERCOSUR members. Right now Brazil and its integration partners are faced with new challenges and have to seek more flexible forms of integration in order to overcome existing contradictions and prevent an integration downturn.