布希政府之拉丁美洲外交政策之研究(2001~2008年)

Abstract

In 1980s, Latin American countries have adopted Neo-Liberalism economic policies to promote economic growth and to resolve the debt crisis. However, in late 1990s, the economic situation and social diaparity in Latin America have suffered steady deterioration. Therefore, Neo-Liberalism economic policies have faced criticism from Latin American people and leftist leaders have come to power and formed an anti-US axis in the western hemisphere. Bush has claimed to pay close attention to US-Latin American relations and to create“Century of the Ameircas”with Latin American countries in early 2001. Nevertheless, after September 11, 2001 attacks, the anti-terrorism wars have replaced Latin America to become the Bush administration’s foreign policy focus. Accordingly, anti-US sentiments and left-wing forces in Latin America have risen to some extent. And the US-Latin American relations under the Bush administration have worsened as well. After the 2006 presidential elections, anti-US sentiments in Latin America have grown to new heights. Venezuela, Cuba, and Bolivia even formed an anti-US alliance to boycott the Bush administration’s Latin American policies and to carry out anti-US foreign affairs in the whole world. Due to the expanding anti-US power in Latin America, Bush decided to visit Latin American countries in 2007 and to restore US reputation. However, facing the expanding left-wing forces, the Bush administration has scaled up the intervention capacity in Latin American affairs. Weakening left-wing forces, ensuring US national interests, and maintaining US hegemonic position in Latin America are Bush’s primary intention in making Latin American policies.