Latin America Foreign Policy Essay - 2955 Words

Latin America cannot be categorized as one homogenous block. In spite of sharing multiple aspects—culture, language, and history—there is not a single standard culture that distinguishes the region. One aspect of Latin American culture, regarding foreign policy, is a prevalent respect for the norm of sovereignty and non-intervention. There exists a strong disposition to follow international law as a means to prevent war or at the very least ward-off potential intervention by extraregional powers. Accordingly, the factor of self-interests and self-preservation creates a divergent spectrum of foreign policies within these countries. Thus, there is a unique propensity of domestic politics—primarily from those leaders in†¦show more content†¦A comparative analysis will be made between a legalistic and pragmatic/realistic approaches. Taking into account that each country is independent from each other, and with differing interests, this essay will give multiple reasons as to why such a variety in policy exists. Accordingly, this essay will show a propensity for states to apply the foreign policy development strategy that best fits their needs. Although there may be a sense of preferential treatment for some strategies, Latin American countries are not inherently bound to a specific development scheme. The Legalistic Nature of Latin America Legalism as a cornerstone of Latin American norms has effectively shaped the relationship between how these states relate to each other and the world. According to Arie Kacowicz, it was considered honorable for a country to meet its lawful commitments â€Å"not divorced from considerations of national interests such as prestige and reputation.† When a region’s identity relies so much on traditional legacies, the trend is to lean towards the accepted norms that culturally tie the region. In its simplest terms, norms are standards of behavior or laws that oversee the behavior of a societal block. Although, Latin America cannot be studied as a homogenous block, countries in the region vary in their alignment patterns independently of each other in an attempt to pursue self-interests. There is, however, enough of a socialShow MoreRelatedEssay on U.S. Foreign Policy and Latin America1138 Words   |  5 PagesDuring the Cold War, the US invaded Latin America, Asia, an d partly Europe. They used sneaky methods and propaganda to achieve their goals. At this time, in the Cold War, they were very devious and tactical in their mission. 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