The State and Regionalism in Latin America: An Elite-Approach during 19th-Century

What is it about?

This paper explains the Hispano-American regionalism during the confederative period (1826–1865) under the insights of Neoclassical Realism.

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Why is it important?

The mainstream studies on regionalism in Latin America have focused on the origins of 20th-Century regional organizations, ignoring the background of regionalism’s processes during the previous century. This paper explains the Hispano-American regionalism during the confederative period (1826–1865) under the insights of Neoclassical Realism. Based on this framework, we identify systemic and domestic varia- bles, which affected Latin American foreign policies in their aim of building a confederation. Paradoxically, the European strategy to prompt a monarchical restoration in Latin America influenced the confederative plan, but the internal political weakness and the impossibility of mobilizing resources determined the failure of this regional initiative.

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