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 3. And Latin America has less latitude, must operate within (explicit or implicit) limits

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

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

America’s Prestige around the World, 1999-2006

Popular Support for GWB and Iraq Policy

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

PAUSING A MOMENT… What kinds of attitudes are relevant? And where do they come from? Information? Media Education Experience? Socialization? Friends Family Institutions/associations

AND NOW…. Taking an intergenerational perspective, let us examine… Hollywood’s depictions of Latin America, especially during post-WWII period Question: How much has changed?

“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