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initially slow economic growth; an uncertain relationship with the military; and itsown weaknesses in foreign policy formulation.Both the independent variable and the dependent variable underwent changesduring the period under consideration. Establishing any kind of causal relationshipdepends on the kinds of links that may be established between these variables. Onthe one hand, the institutional makeup of foreign policymaking changed with thechanging fortunes of PT, the attention Lula was able to pay to foreign policy, andthe nature and level of the issues at hand. Concerning the dependent variable,internationalist outcomes – those favouring non-violence, non-interference, southsouthsolidarity and multilateral approaches – varied depending on the issue area, itsgeographical location, and the nature of the interests at risk.To return to the questions posed earlier: What is the connection between Brazil’schosen method of power projection and the influence of a new governing party,PT, on foreign policy? How can neoclassical realism explain Brazilian foreign policyunder the Lula administration?While the nature of Brazil’s political system afforded PT less institutional freedomon a micro-level, the pervasiveness of party ideological positions appeared to have atrickle-down effect on Brazil’s foreign policy approach, resulting in Brazil’sdiplomacy being seen as more anti-American, and anti-imperial than before. Theperiod of government of PT has also attended a greater emphasis by Brazil’s foreignpolicymakers on the country’s projection as a strategically important power on aglobal scale. Inherent, historical anti-Americanism has replaced the revised view ofthe balance of power in the Western hemisphere that underpinned the relativelyeasy acquiescence of Cardoso in US supremacy. The latter position is now habituallyquestioned by government officials and spokespeople.PT has not had the depth of expertise in foreign relations to exploit fully theopportunities provided by being in power. What it has lacked in depth, however, ithas made up for in the personal and presidential diplomacy of Lula who left officeas Time magazine’s “Most Influential World Leader”. Evolving from its position inthe opposition, to a party of government, PT’s foreign policy stance has become287