Explaining Defense Cooperation With Process-tracing: the Brazilian Proposal for the Creation of UNASUR South American Defense Council

Abstract How can defense cooperation with process-tracing methodology be explained? To answer this question, this paper tests the ability of process-tracing explanations in the case of the Brazilian proposal for the creation of the Union of South American Nation’s (UNASUR) South American Defense Council (CDS). Combining process-tracing methodology with a case study research design, this paper analyzes which causal pathways, mechanisms, timing of events, and policies best explain Brazilian behavior.摘要 如何运用过程追踪法（process-tracing methodology）阐释防务合作？为解答这一问题，本文以巴西提议成立南美洲国家联盟（Union of South American Nations，UNASUR）下属南美洲防务委员会（South American Defense Council，CDS）的案例为研究对象，检验过程追踪法解释路径的有效性。本文将过程追踪法与案例研究设计相结合，分析何种因果路径、作用机制、事件时序与政策举措能够最贴切地阐释巴西的相关行为。