Present and Future Public Policy Challenges for Latin America

Abstract

Latin American Policy’s (LAMP) second volume for 2018, collects eight brilliant papers assessing current and potential public-policy challenges for Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Peter Ward and Robert Wilson set the scope of these challenges in the findings of their article. After interviewing 50 “key informants,” they map out some of the current problems afflicting the region and trace those that loom in the foreseeable future. Betsy Smith’s paper deals with one of the challenges that could potentially become more pressing—the failure of the institutions of the Organization of American States (OAS) to protect democratic systems throughout LAC countries. In this same vein, Victor Mijares’ contribution addresses the shortcomings of the South American Defense Council in launching regional-security policies that reflect the interests and concerns of its members. The remaining five articles included in this volume cover sensitive issues reflected currently in some key countries. Anthony Jordan and John Tuman analyze the political rationale of expulsions of U.S. diplomatic personnel from LACs, focusing especially on left-wing governments. Lorena Oyarzún-Serrano’s contribution highlights the role played by Chile in the Pacific Alliance, as a means to defend “open regionalism” at a time when Donald Trump is burying it. Wilfredo Flores’ paper deals with energy scenarios in Honduras after the putsch of 2009. José Antonio Hernández and David Argente, and Gabriela Muñoz and Marcela López-Vallejo make their respective contributions on Mexico. The first two authors analyze clientelistic practices and capacities, suggesting that capacities are important to understand the political success of these practices. The final two authors present a thought-provoking contribution suggesting the need to build a transregional governance architecture to integrate better the electricity market already operating between California and Baja California. We hope our growing readers will enjoy these eight contributions and find them inspiring. Isidro Morales is a researcher and professor in the School of Government and Public Transformation at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, and an external fellow of the Mexico Center at Rice University’s Baker Institute.