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Understanding the Regional International Systems of Latin America: Dimensions and Dynamics

This document explores the concept of regional systems within Latin America, highlighting how geographically proximate states interact and share a sense of regional identity. It delves into the critical dimensions of these systems, such as boundaries, actors, perceptions, and interactions, and examines the significant impacts of external powers on the region. The analysis covers the various subsystems present, including key players like the United States, Brazil, and external dependencies, as well as organizations promoting regional integration and cooperation.

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Understanding the Regional International Systems of Latin America: Dimensions and Dynamics

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  1. Regional International Systems • LATIN AMERICA

  2. 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

  3. Critical Dimensions of any Regional International System • Boundaries and Actors • Perceptions • Interactions

  4. 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

  5. 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)

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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”

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. Caribbean Basin

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

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