Latin American Foreign Policies Between Ideology and Pragmatism

In recent years several Latin American countries have adopted a more assertive and autonomous stance in their foreign policy. The growing rejection of neo-liberalism as an ideological dogma seems to have given space to more pragmatic stances in favour of national interests. Whilst ideological discourse continues to be directed towards both domestic and international audiences with varying intensities and tones, it appears to be combined with clearly pragmatic policies and aims. This book reviews the foreign policy of eleven Latin American countries and argues that a combination of pragmatism and ideology characterises contemporary Latin American approaches to international relations. It analyses whether this is a permanent or contingent feature, what factors affect the mix of pragmatism and ideology, and whether this is an identifiable new pattern of foreign policy in Latin America

Gian Luca Gardini is senior lecturer in International Relations and Latin American Politics at the University of Bath, where he is also Director of Studies for the master programmes in Politics. Dr. Gardini obtained his MPhil and PhD in International Relations from the University of Cambridge. His research interests cover the international relations of Latin America, foreign policy analysis, regional integration, and international relations theory.

Peter Lambert is a Senior Lecturer in Latin American Studies in the Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies and Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching at the University of Bath, United Kingdom.

Introduction: Ideology and Pragmatism in Latin American Foreign Policy; Gian Luca Gardini and Peter Lambert
1. Latin American Foreign Policies between Ideology and Pragmatism: A Framework for Analysis; Gian Luca Gardini
2. Pragmatism, Ideology and Tradition in Chilean Foreign Policy since 1990; Joaquín Fermandois 
3. Brazilian Foreign Policy: Causal Beliefs in Formulation and Pragmatism in Practice; Miriam Gomes Saraiva 
4. Dancing between Superpowers: Ideology, Pragmatism and Drift in Paraguayan Foreign Policy; Peter Lambert 
5. Argentine Foreign Policy under the Kirchners: Ideological, Pragmatic or simply Peronist?; Andres Malamud
6. From Obscurity to Center Stage: The Architectonics of Bolivia's Foreign Policy; Larry Birns and Alex Sanchez 
7. Pragmatism and Ideology in the Foreign Policy of Peru; Ronald Bruce St John
8. The Continuing Pull of the Polar Star: Colombian Foreign Relations in the Post-Cold War Era; Stephen Randal 
9. Venezuelan Foreign Policy under Chávez: The Pragmatic Success of Revolutionary Ideology?; Diana Raby 
10. Defying Expectations: The External Profile and Activism of the Cuban Revolution; Antoni Kapcia 
11. Nicaragua's Pragmatic Ideologues; David Close 
12. Mexico's Foreign Policy Under The Partido Acción Nacional: Promoting Democracy, Human Rights, and Interests; Ana Covarrubias
13. Unity and Diversity in Latin American Visions of Regional Integration; Gian Luca Gardini 
Conclusions; Gian Luca Gardini and Peter Lambert