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 ActorsPerceptionsInteractions

Geographical Demarcation: Latin America

Northern Mexico to Cape Horn 605 million people (estimate, 2010)8.5% of total population 33 sovereign statesNatal 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 BrazilHaiti - broke from France in 1804New states

12 former British coloniesSuriname (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 centuryUnited 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 corporationsTrans-national political parties

Most originate in EuropeSome influence by Republicans and Democrats

Drug/Criminal cartelsLabor organizations

Perceptions Influencing Regional Behavior of Latin American Actors

Regional self-consciousness (push-pull)Economic integration projects related to

perceptions of global weaknessRegional international organizations also

seen as useful in “belling the cat”

Regularity of Interaction

Regional economic organizationsLAFTA (1963), reorganized as LAIA)SELA (1975) Mercosur

Latin American parliamentCreated in 1963Resurrected 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

ComponentsCentral 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 integrationAmazon Basin (Amazon Pact – 1978) MERCOSUR UNASUR

Global power pretensionsNuclear programsWeapons production industriesHeavy industry and high technology