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Regional International Systems

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

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Regional International Systems

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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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