The point of view of the tradition in the institutional identity: the case of the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to describe certain elements that we consider constituent of the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Brazil - Itamaraty - as “empty signifier.” The tradition of continuity in foreign policy is the result of the combination of these elements, which, in the end, creates a distinctive institutional identity. Among them, we will describe the different values, principles and constants, the importance of strategic thinking and administrative evolution.