DYNAMICS OF U.S.-LATIN AMERICAN RELATIONS SUMMATION

KEY QUESTIONS What is the current state of U.S. relations with Latin America? What (if anything) is unique or “new” about the present situation? How much have we seen before? Where is the relationship headed? What might the future hold?

BASIC ASSUMPTIONS International system based on tacit codes of conduct or “regimes” Regimes change according to distributions of power U.S. relations with Latin America thus take place within changing contexts (“regimes”) Latin America is more important to U.S. than is generally recognized

CHANGING RULES OF THE GAME

SHAPES OF U.S. POLICY

POLICY PROFILES

IMPLICATIONS Focus on Latin America as well as U.S. –Coherence of strategic options –Criterion: plausibility, not “success” –Irrelevance of psychological, national-character explanations Thus: Logical dynamic of relationship

AND THE FUTURE? Readings and discussions about policy options…..