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and conflict resolution under the WTO”, toward greater emphasis on the social andenvironmental implications of multilateral trade policy. 492 Under Lula, critiques ofthe multilateral trade and finance systems were linked to greater calls forinternational social projects, such as hunger and disease eradication, and the broaderconsideration of the challenges of the developing world.The competence of Itamaraty, in whom much of the initiative for Brazilian foreignpolicy rested, was seen by Cardoso as a means of exploiting niches in internationalpolitics. It helped that Cardoso held a special affection for the institution, havingacted as Minister of Foreign Affairs under Itamar Franco for a brief period from1992 to 1993. In addition, Cardoso’s own reputation as a social scientist of someinternational standing – in spite of what seemed like a wholesale migration in hisideological perspective – assisted in ‘rehabilitating’ the international image of Brazil,ushering in a period of ‘presidential diplomacy’ that would continue during the Lulaadministration.Presidential diplomacy under Cardoso and Lula have been marked by divergenttendencies, however, as Cardoso prioritised relations with developed countries,while Lula has placed greater emphasis on South-South cooperation. 493 Accordingto Lula’s international relations adviser and one-time President of PT, MarcoAurelio Garcia, Cardoso’s presidential diplomacy was a ‘masking’ mechanism,which ensured the visibility of the leader of the government, even while this failedto lend strength to the country. Presidential speeches, so often celebrated abroad,proved little more than rhetoric. 494While Cardoso frequently spoke out against the effects of globalization,furthermore, his domestic policies went far in facilitating them. This fact limited theCardoso government’s ability to mobilise and extract resources for expansiveforeign policy actions. Domestic economic stability was a priority.Put differently, the readiness to accept the costs and obligations of the pursuit ofinternational objectives did not gain significant ground during the Cardoso era,either among Brazilian society or within the State. 495492 Faro de Castro et al., “Globalization and recent political transitions”, 485.493 Cason and Power, “Presidentialization”, 122.494 Garcia, Marco Aurélio, “Brazilian future”, in OpenDemocracy, 16 July 2003, accessedonline at: http://www.opendemocracy.net/democracy-think_tank/article_1367.jsp on 30September, 2010.495 Vigevani and Cepaluni, Changing Times, 68.204