Transcript latin american international relations

Regional International Systems
LATIN AMERICA
What is a regional system?
Consists of a set of geographically
proximate and regularly interacting states
that share to some degree a sense of
regional identify and are so perceived by
external actors
These same criteria also identify further
subsystems within the region
Critical Dimensions of any
Regional International System
Boundaries and Actors
Perceptions
Interactions
Geographical Demarcation: Latin
America
Northern Mexico to Cape Horn
605 million people (estimate, 2010)
8.5% of total population
33 sovereign states
Natal only 1,900 miles from Africa
Small remainder: British, Dutch, French and U.
S. dependencies
Characteristics of states in the region
that reflect “age” as independent
states & culture)
Ibero-America (eighteen states with
varying international capabilities)
Luso America – refers to Brazil
Haiti - broke from France in 1804
New states
12 former British colonies
Suriname (independent 1975)
External Sector of Latin American
Regional System
(Two Dimensions)
States outside the regional boundaries
that have significant relations with actors
of the region
Political dependencies located within the
regional boundary controlled by external
states (United Kingdom, France the
Netherlands, and the United States
Important External Powers
Great Britain – pivotal in 19th century
United States – important in 19th century,
been most significant external actor in 20th
century, remains highly influetial
Russia/Soviet Union – intrusive during
the Cold War, sales of military equipment
France – strong cultural influence, military
equipment
Japan – economic force since 1970’s
China – recently surpassed Japan as
economic force in region
Important Non-state Actors
 Holy See and the institutional structure of the
Roman Catholic Church
 Multi-national corporations
 Trans-national political parties
Most originate in Europe
Some influence by Republicans and Democrats
 Drug/Criminal cartels
 Labor organizations
Perceptions Influencing Regional
Behavior of Latin American Actors
Regional self-consciousness (push-pull)
Economic integration projects related to
perceptions of global weakness
Regional international organizations also
seen as useful in “belling the cat”
Regularity of Interaction
Regional economic organizations
LAFTA (1963), reorganized as LAIA)
SELA (1975)
Mercosur
Latin American parliament
Created in 1963
Resurrected in the 1990’s
Rio Group (90% of region’s population)
UNASUR
Latin American Regional Subsystem I:
Mexico
Part of North America: so close to the
United States
Inward turn following 19th century
diminution and 1917 revolution
NAFTA seals turn to the “north”
Exercises significant influence in Central
America
Caribbean Basin
Latin American Regional Sub-system
II: The Circum Caribbean
 Local and external states participate in
subsystem
 Components
Central America & Yucatan peninsula
Islands of Caribbean
Northern coast of South America
 U.S. presence close to hegemonic
 Commonwealth Caribbean sometimes functions
as its own subsystem
Regional Sub-system III: The Southern
Cone
 Members: Argentina, Brazil, Chile Uruguay,
Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru and sometimes Ecuador
 Relatively isolated from mainstream of
international politics
 Rivalry between Brazil & Argentina
 United States only one of several influential
external powers
 Concern with Antarctica
Regional Sub-system IV: Brazil
An actor separate from the Southern Cone
as well as part of it
Interest in regional economic integration
Amazon Basin (Amazon Pact – 1978)
MERCOSUR
UNASUR
Global power pretensions
Nuclear programs
Weapons production industries
Heavy industry and high technology