Strategic Regionalism and Regional Social Policy in the FTAA Process

Abstract

This article analyses the US proposal to establish a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and argues that two approaches to the FTAA exist, as evidenced during the negotiating process. The first approach is strategic regionalism. Promoted by an alliance of the US and Multinational Enterprises, the objective is to promote regional economic integration based on a radical liberalization of markets accompanied by limited regulation of certain `trade related issues', notably intellectual property, government procurement and investment. The second approach proposes a gradual liberalization of markets, common industrial development and a regional social policy. Advocates of this approach include governments, regional groupings, some business groups and civil society organizations. This article explores the ways in which these Latin American actors have confronted the `strategic regionalism' approach and argues that their strategies of opposition and contestation are a major cause of current collapse in the FTAA negotiation process.