1. POLITICAL SCIENCE 146A WINTER 2014 PETER H. SMITH U.S.-LATIN AMERICAN RELATIONS

2. CONTACT INFO phsmith@ucsd.edu Social Science Building 364 Wednesday 2-4 Kelly Matush kmatush@ucsd.edu Social Science Building 343 Friday 9-11

4. 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? Subtext: strong vs. weak, disparity in power

5. 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? Subtext: strong vs. weak, disparity in power

6. Course Design Course Structure and Conceptual Approaches Historical Stages 1. Imperialism in the Americas 2. Cold War in the Americas 3. The 1990s: From Geopolitics to Geoeconomics

7. The Contemporary Scene: 9/11-present 1. The War on Terror and Global Realities 2. Neglect and Opportunity for Latin America 3. The Political Economy of Drug Trafficking 4. Migration and Latino Communities 5. Barack Obama and the Politics of Hope (?) Conclusion and Review

8. The Contemporary Scene: 9/11-present 1. The War on Terror: Geopolitics and Global Realities 2. Opportunity for Latin America 3. The Political Economy of Drug Trafficking 4. Migration and Latino Communities 5. Barack Obama and the Politics of Hope (?) 6. Conclusion and Review

9. Analytical Tools Nation-state as unit of analysis (not markets, not psychology) International systems with distinct “rules of the game” Formulation of “grand strategies” (depending on perceptions of world arena) Disparities in power “Hard” vs. “soft” power

10. POINTS OF ENTRY Readings:  Smith, Talons of the Eagle, 4 th edition (2013)  Domínguez and Fernández de Castro, Contemporary U.S.- Latin American Relations Videos (as shown) Guest speakers

11. ASSIGNMENTS AND DATES February 19: “mock” midterm March 5: 10-12 page analytical papers (50% of course grade) TBA: Closed-book final exam (50% of course grade)

12. “MISSING” How accurate the factual detail? Role of Chilean military and/or Pinochet? Degree of U.S. complicity? Why the powerful so fearful? Could such a thing happen today? Why or why not? Where or where not?

13. “MISSING” How accurate the factual detail? Role of Chilean military and/or Pinochet? Degree of U.S. complicity? Why the powerful so fearful? Could such a thing happen today? Why or why not? Where or where not?

14. PARTING THOUGHTS Have fun in this course! Q: If ignorance is bliss, knowledge must be…. ?

15. A CAST OF CHARACTERS