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 Actors Perceptions Interactions

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

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)

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 19 th century United States – important in 19 th century, been most significant external actor in 20 th 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 corporations Trans-national political parties  Most originate in Europe  Some influence by Republicans and Democrats Drug/Criminal cartels Labor organizations

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”

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

Latin American Regional Subsystem I: Mexico Part of North America: so close to the United States Inward turn following 19 th 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 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

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 integration  Amazon Basin (Amazon Pact – 1978)  MERCOSUR  UNASUR Global power pretensions  Nuclear programs  Weapons production industries  Heavy industry and high technology