Latin American Foreign Policy Research Articles

Latin American foreign policies in the new world order: the active non-alignment option

Latin American foreign policies in the new world order: the active non-alignment option

The scholarship–practitioner nexus: lessons from Latin American foreign policy

Abstract Various studies have explored the role of International Relations research in policy-making, predominantly focusing on countries in the global North. However, there needs to be a better understanding of this dynamic in peripheral countries of the global South. This article addresses this gap by examining the relationship between theory and practice in Latin American foreign policy; the synergy between scholarly research and practical implementation offers valuable insights. This interplay sheds light on the impact research can have by developing unique theoretical frameworks and guiding current foreign policy strategies. Using Argentine foreign policy as a case-study, I explore specialized knowledge networks that have driven foreign policy studies, their inception in Latin America and pivotal theoretical developments that have influenced both academia and policy. Employing qualitative analysis, I triangulate data from diverse sources such as archives, official documents, journals, institutional histories, reports and expert interviews. This investigation underscores the collaborative efforts of Latin American scholars and policy-makers, driven by a shared goal to address regional challenges through both theoretical insights and practical solutions.

<em>Latin American foreign policies in the new world order: The active non-alignment option</em>

Latin American foreign policies in the new world order: The active non-alignment option, edited by Carlos Fortin, Jorge Heine, and Carlos Ominami, Anthem Press, 2023

The effects of presidential breakdowns on foreign policy in Latin America

AbstractPresidents and their ideologies have long been thought to be important explanatory variables in Latin American foreign policy, but little is known about how presidential breakdowns, a common form of leader change, affect foreign policy. I use a qualitative structured comparison to analyze the effects of nine presidential ousters on their successors’ foreign policies. I focus on cases in which the legitimacy of the process is in a gray zone, when narrative disputes are more likely to emerge. The findings indicate that incumbents politicize foreign policy when they use it to attain public support but accommodate it to congressional interests when they need support of Congress; meanwhile, international peers respond to presidential breakdowns according to their strategic and ideological rather than normative concerns. Even though Latin America is dominated by weak states, domestic politics, especially during crises, play a major role in explaining their foreign policies. Considering the role played by presidents in foreign policymaking, understanding this kind of presidential succession is essential.

Theoretical Foundations of the Foreign Policy of Latin American Nations

Autonomy has always been the focus of theoretical research in the field of international relations and foreign policy of Latin American countries. At the same time, deepening and strengthening cooperation with neighbors in the region has traditionally been an unshakable priority for all Latin American states, around which their entire foreign policy was built. The article considers the crucial stages of development that the concept of autonomy has gone through in the framework of international relations theories developed by Latin American scholars. Simultaneously, the changing role and essential characteristics of integration are studied as a process that modifies its direction under the pressure of various external and internal forces. The author analyzes the key theoretical approaches of Latin American countries to the study of international relations and foreign policy in the period from the middle of the 20th century to the beginning of the 21st century. The research also considers the determining factors influencing the evolution of the intra­regional and extra­regional directions as regards the foreign policy of the states in the region. Identifying the system of elements that form the core of modern Latin American foreign policy and combining global and national components allow us to determine the substantial changes in the paradigmatic nature of international relations, which is the key to understanding the modern activities of Latin American countries in the international arena, substantiating the relevance and novelty of this study. The author examines five main stages in the evolution of the concept of autonomy, which have become a reflection of real historical events. Each of them is interconnected with the concept of integration in its own way: the first stage was characterized by the prevalence of a realistic approach; the second stage was marked by the strategy of "development coming from within"; during the third stage, the concept of relative autonomy dominated; the fourth stage was characterized by the dominance of two approaches: separatist and relative; the fifth stage takes place under the slogan of the concept of «liquid autonomy».

Comparative analysis of Latin American foreign policies: actors and structures for middle-range theories

Resumen: Recientes publicaciones sobre política exterior comparada latinoamericana presentaron importantes contribuciones. Sin embargo, los estudios cualitativos comparados, los cuales mejor se encajan a las premisas básicas del análisis de política exterior, todavía son raros. Defiendo que el avance hacia la consolidación de consensos depende de contribuciones con rigidez metodológica y base teórica sólida. Para avanzar con este argumento, me dedico a una tarea todavía poco explorada en la literatura: una revisión de las principales contribuciones teóricas y empíricas de la literatura en política exterior latinoamericana. Basado en ella, sistematizo las principales variables independientes, presentando molduras teóricas y datos que sirven a estudiantes e investigadores interesados en contribuir al avance de teorías de rango medio sobre política exterior latinoamericana.

Contemporary humanitarians: Latin America and the ordering of responses to humanitarian crises

Latin American foreign-policy elites defend the principle of non-intervention to shield their countries’ autonomy. By 2005, however, most Latin American foreign policy elites accepted the easing of limits on the use of force in international law. They supported the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), which regulates the use of force to protect populations from mass atrocities. The paper presents a comparison of the Brazilian, Chilean, and Mexican positions in the R2P debates to understand why they supported this norm. During the debates leading to the emergence of R2P, these elites questioned a central premise of liberal internationalism: the idea that great powers would restrain their use of military force as part of their commitment to a liberal international order (LIO). Using Republican international political theory, I argue that these Latin American foreign-policy elites viewed a restricted humanitarian-intervention norm as a new defence against great powers interfering in developing countries. Instead of trusting that great powers would restrain their actions, these elites advocated for a humanitarian-intervention norm that would prevent uncontrolled humanitarian interventions.

Foreign Policy Change in Latin America: Exploring a Middle-Range Concept

This article examines patterns of change and continuity in Latin American foreign policies. It asks two interrelated questions: How can we conceptually and empirically account for foreign policy change? And why do states change their foreign policies in Latin America? To answer these questions, we used the results of a new expert survey on foreign policy preferences in the region between 1980 and 2014. The results we obtained using both linear and nonparametric specifications are very clear and consistent: presidential ideology is what matters the most. Simply put, a change in the ideology of the president produces a change in foreign policy that is almost equivalent in magnitude, all other theoretically relevant factors set to their means.

Thomas C. Mann: President Johnson, the Cold War, and the Restructuring of Latin American Foreign Policy

Thomas C. Mann: President Johnson, the Cold War, and the Restructuring of Latin American Foreign Policy

Thomas C. Mann: President Johnson, the Cold War, and the Restructuring of Latin American Foreign Policy. by Thomas Tunstall Allcock, Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 2018. 294 pp. $60.00.

<i>Thomas C. Mann: President Johnson, the Cold War, and the Restructuring of Latin American Foreign Policy</i>. by Thomas Tunstall Allcock, Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 2018. 294 pp. $60.00.

Foreign Policy Change in Latin America: Exploring a Middle Range Concept

In this article we examine patterns of change and continuity in Latin American foreign policies. We do so by asking two interrelated questions: How can we conceptually and empirically account for foreign policy change? And why do states change their foreign policies in Latin America? To answer these questions, we used the results of a new expert survey on foreign policy preferences in the region between 1980 and 2014. The results we obtained using both linear and non-parametric specifications are very clear and consistent: presidential institutions and ideology are what matters the most.

ТРАЄКТОРІЯ ГЕОСТРАТЕГІЇ РОСІЙСЬКОЇ ФЕДЕРАЦІЇ: ВИКЛИКИ ТА ЗАГРОЗИ РЕГІОНАЛЬНІЙ ТА ГЛОБАЛЬНІЙ БЕЗПЕЦІ Олег Кондратенко Геостратегічний вимір зовнішньої політики Російської Федерації. Монографія. Київ: ВПЦ «Київський університет», 2017. 607 с.

The results of the reviewing the geostrategic aspect of foreign policy activity of the Russian Federation have been presented. The analysis of the level of disclosure given by the author of the methodological principles of Russian geostrategy, its planning and key vectors of implementation, has been provided. The estimated level of presentation of the content of the regional vector of Russian geostrategy comes as follows: its priority is to provide geopolitical influence in the post-Soviet space through its reintegration, as well as through the creation of controlled conflicts. The monograph has separately analyzed the degree of disclosure of the essence of the global dimension of geostrategy of the Russian Federation in the context of the West, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, African, Latin American and Arctic foreign policy directions of Russia. Thus, through a number of such directions, Russia attempts to implement its influence on the international security and the emergence of a new world order.

Dimensiones de política exterior en América Latina según juicio de expertos

La literatura de Ciencia Política sobre política exterior en América Latina es extensa y rica en estudios de casos, pero débil en teoría y trabajos con extensos. Esto ha limitado sensiblemente la comparación entre países y ha reducido la capacidad para identificar en la región regularidades, tendencias y patrones de política exterior. Así, se cuenta con buenas historias, ricas en detalles, pero con pocos datos sistemáticos para construir explicaciones robustas acerca de la política exterior en América &#x0D; Latina. Buscando corregir este déficit, nuestra investigación se dirige a examinar las orientaciones de política exterior en América Latina entre 1980 y 2014 en diecinueve países de América Latina. A partir de juicios, expertos sobre posiciones de política exterior de presidentes de América Latina estimamos las posiciones de los presidentes en cuatro dimensiones de política exterior: estilo de política exterior, orientación geopolítica, orientación económica y relación con los Estados Unidos de América. En este texto presentamos el estado de la cuestión, la metodología utilizada y los primeros resultados &#x0D; estadísticos agregados.

Conceptualizing Autonomy in Latin American Foreign Policy: Case Study of Brazil under the PT government (2003-2016)

Conceptualizing Autonomy in Latin American Foreign Policy: Case Study of Brazil under the PT government (2003-2016)

Coloso fragmentado: The “intermestic” agenda and Latin American foreign policy

“Intermestic” issues, including trade, migration, and drug-trafficking, dominate contemporary U.S.-Latin American relations and matter deeply to Latin American and Caribbean states. The differing dynamics these create within the U.S. foreign policy process have been broadly explored. However, this article asks what effects the dynamics of U.S. intermesticity have on Latin American and Caribbean foreign policy towards the United States. Building on work by Robert Putnam and Helen Milner, it argues that intermestic issues have narrower win-sets and more veto players than traditional foreign policy issues. This complicates attempts at influencing U.S. policies, putting Latin American and Caribbean states at a disadvantage. Intermestic diplomacy demands different strategies. The argument is examined against the case of the U.S.-Mexico cross-border trucking dispute.

When Foreign Policy Meets Social Demands in Latin America

In order to introduce this special issue of Contexto Internacional, we first seek to provide a panoramic understanding of the Latin American political landscape. Next, we consider the new (and not so new) development strategies adopted by Latin American states, and their implications for foreign policy and international relations. Following this, we offer a brief review of the literature on Latin American foreign policy analysis and some of the theoretical and methodological challenges facing the study of Latin American international relations, thus providing a context for a deeper understanding of the contributions to this special issue. Put differently, our objective is to provide readers with a general idea of the reasons why foreign policy has met, should have met, or has been expected to meet social demands in contemporary Latin America.

Foreign Policy Analysis in Latin American democracies: the case for a research protocol

In this article we propose an alternative theoretical path to study contemporary Latin American foreign policies, evoking the notion of 'public policy cycle' to explain how democratic regimes in the region have been able to expand their autonomy over time. For that, we will first identify the sources of a given country's foreign policy, both at home and abroad, as well as its decision-making and implementation mechanisms. With regard to methodology, by replacing sheer deductivism for some inductivism, this approach also innovates in allowing more rigorous comparative politics and, consequently, new general theories about Latin American politics and policies.

Books in Brief

The editorial office has received a number of edited volumes that will be of interest to our readership. To introduce these works, we occasionally list in this section the publication information and tables of contents entries. The five volumes selected for this issue examine the Great Depression in Latin America, immigration and national identities, Latin American foreign policies, Latin American politics and development, and civic life and culture in Cuba's First Republic.

Latin American Foreign Policy Analysis: External Influences and Internal Circumstances

Giacalone, Rita. (2012) Latin American Foreign Policy Analysis: External Influences and Internal Circumstances. Foreign Policy Analysis, doi: 10.1111/j.1743-8594.2011.00176.x This article reviews the evolution of foreign policy analysis (FPA) in Latin America in order to explore the role played by domestic contextual factors and external theoretical influences. Applying notions that Jorgensen (Journal of International Relations6 (1):9–42) has employed for the study of European FPA, it concludes that incorporating the cultural-institutional context in which Latin American academics write enhances our understanding of national variations and of how internal and external factors get connected.

Reflexiones sobre el análisis de las políticas externas latinoamericanas

A few months ago, those interested in international relations in Latin America witnessed the almost simultaneous appearance of two collections of essays on Latin American foreign policies: Jennie K. Lincoln and Elizabeth G. The Dynamics of Latin American Foreign Policies; and Heraldo Muñoz and Joseph S. Tulchin (editors), Latin American Nations in World Politics. This work is an essay review of both volumes. It is not intended to assess the quality of each of the trials; but rather to use both compilations as a starting point to reflect on the usefulness of various theoretical approaches and concepts, common to the study of general international relations and foreign policy, when it comes to applying them to Latin America.