the objective of this research area is to analyze and understand the contemporary Brazil. Therefore it is based on the policies that helped to define it as the emerging country it is nowadays. The research projects of this area embrace from the development of the republic over the foundations of the empire at the end of the 20th Century to its current performance in the world order, and including the 20th Century industrialization process. Obviously, the neighborly relations and the closer relationship with Venezuela represent one of our central issues.