Prospections on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in South America: the role of the Organization of American States (OAS)

Abstract

There are countless challenges regarding the construction of a certain degree of international security. The existing configuration of the international system has several mechanisms to minimize the recurrence of interstate conflicts, with the Organization of American States (OAS) being the main reference on the continent. In this context, South America stands out for the low rate of interstate conflicts throughout its history. Taking this unique feature into account, this article proposes the following starting question: to what extent does the OAS, in terms of conflict resolution and prevention, play an important role in South America? It is argued that the organization has a limited role regarding the potential for litigation in the region due to its sui generis characteristic of low-intensity intrastate and interstate conflicts. Methodologically, the deductive approach is adopted, based on a more general analysis of the region to understand its particularities in terms of conflicts, and subsequent OAS action in those conflicts. To this end, the historical procedural and case study methods help the article to map the intrastate and interstate conflicts in South America. The qualitative research technique is also used with literature reviews and documentary analysis. In agreement with the objectives proposed in this article, the role of this regional organization was observed more in the prevention than in the resolution of conflicts in the region.