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POPULAR CULTURE AND U.S. POLICY TOWARD LATIN AMERICA

POPULAR CULTURE AND U.S. POLICY TOWARD LATIN AMERICA. KEY PERSPECTIVES. 1. U.S. more powerful than countries of Latin America (including region as a whole) 2. Therefore U.S. has wide latitude for policy—though decision-making often restricted or “bounded” by ideology

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POPULAR CULTURE AND U.S. POLICY TOWARD LATIN AMERICA

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  1. POPULAR CULTURE AND U.S. POLICY TOWARD LATIN AMERICA

  2. KEY PERSPECTIVES • 1. U.S. more powerful than countries of Latin America (including region as a whole) • 2. Therefore U.S. has wide latitude for policy—though decision-making often restricted or “bounded” by ideology • 3. And Latin America has less latitude, must operate within (explicit or implicit) limits

  3. LATIN AMERICAN RESPONSES • 1. Result of rational calculations, thus “rational choice” • 2. Not psychological: love-hate relationships, adolescent outlooks, etc. • 3. Menus of “strategic options”—in differing periods, under differing circumstances—key topic here • 4. Hence view of dynamic relationship, not only U.S. policy

  4. PUBLIC OPINION AND FOREIGN POLICY • Questions: • Does popular culture matter? • Does public opinion shape foreign policy? • What is the role of mass media?

  5. America’s Prestige around the World, 1999-2006

  6. Popular Support for GWB and Iraq Policy

  7. BASIC HYPOTHESES 1. Public opinion has significant effects, especially in democracies 2. Public opinion has little if any effect: a. foreign policy belongs to bureaucrats and/or big business b. citizens unconcerned or uninformed b. international issues do not win elections: “all politics is local” 3. State apparatus can mold and mobilize public opinion, which in turn provides legitimacy for elite decisions

  8. AND NOW…. • Hollywood’s depictions of Latin America, especially during post-WWII period • Question: How much has changed?

  9. “The Gringo in Mañanaland” • The hero discovers paradise • The hero has a dream about bananas • The hero has a problem with women • And with bandits • The hero calls in the Marines (who save the day) • The bandits cooperate (from prison) • The Good Neighbors are happy

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