Lusotropicalism and the status of Brazilians

This bachelor’s thesis focuses on the concept of lusotropicalism and its application in the relations between Portugal and Brazil. Lusotropicalism, formulated by Brazilian sociologist Gilberto Freyre, emphasizes the uniqueness of Portuguese colonialism due to its openness to racial mixing and cultural hybridism. The primary aim of this thesis is to analyze the concept of lusotropicalism and assess whether it aligns with the current status of Brazilians in Portugal. The theoretical part focuses on the development of lusotropicalism, its impact on international relations—particularly during the rule of António Salazar—and its key characteristics, such as cultural hybridism and the absence of racial discrimination. The empirical part comprises a single-case study analyzing Portuguese migration policies and the status of Brazilians in the Portuguese labor market, using qualitative data from interviews with Brazilian immigrants in Portugal. The findings indicate that the current status of Brazilians in Portugal contradicts lusotropicalism. Although Portuguese migration policies do not exhibit direct discrimination, they fail to provide adequate support mechanisms for the integration of Brazilians. Brazilian migrants face integration barriers stemming from discrimination and stereotypes, which negatively affect their status in the Portuguese labor market.