Proving Existence: Inter-Latin American Relations as International Subsystem

Abstract

Is Latin America a distinctive subsystem within the international system? Do Latin American countries behave differently toward other Latin American countries than toward the rest of the world? Although some scholars argue that "mere geographic proximity does not necessarily furnish the best basis of comparison" (Rustow, quoted by Lijphart 1971:688), others sustain the relevance of regional differences. In this paper, I theorize what differences one should expect between the determinants of bilateral intra-Latin American cooperation and the determinants of bilateral cooperation with countries outside the region. I found that a number of factors that are correlated with intra-Latin American cooperation show no relationship with cooperation beyond the continent: distance from the U.S., affinity with the U.S., and Spanish heritage are positively related with intra-Latin American cooperation, whereas the level of previous cooperation with the U.S. is negatively associated with current intra-Latin American cooperation. These determinants have no significant impact on bilateral cooperation with third countries.

Keywords: Latin America, region, international relations, treaties