Start Date

11-1-2012 9:30 AM

End Date

11-1-2012 11:00 AM

Description

The main source of bilateral instability and potential conflict in South America consists of those factors to which most international relations theorists (Holsti, Hoffmann, Keohane & Nye) have paid the least attention, namely, issues of memory, identity, and nationalism. The potential for inter-state conflict (not necessarily violent) between Bolivia and Chile largely involve disputes over history and territory, linked as they are to the unresolved legacy of the War of the Pacific: a landlocked Bolivia. The “history disputes” that surround Bolivia´s lack of sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean, continue to be a source of instability for the southern cone. The clash between an increasingly divergent Chilean posture and Bolivia´s new multilateral approach to the issue represents a new challenge for Bolivian policy on Chile. Similarly, the rise of pan -nationalism in Bolivia is another key factor to consider. Linked to the rise of new and competing nationalisms in Bolivia is Chile’s realignment with the United States. Bolivia´s deep mistrust of U.S. foreign policy in the region complicates the 13 point negotiating agenda started between Morales and Bachelet. Bolivian handling of these issues, involving questions of identity and interpretations of history, and Chilean inflexibility under Piñera´s government, could wreak havoc with the entire apparatus of bilateral agreements and generate unforeseen conflict. Using mostly secondary sources, this paper identifies the main issues and reflects on what could be done to mitigate the (re)emerging nationalisms in the region in order to promote a reasonable solution and thereby stability and peace. Breaking with both neorealist and liberal analysis, the paper offers a historicist approach which highlights the central role that memory, history, and identity play in the international relations of the area, with wide-ranging implications for foreign policy.

 

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Memory, History and Identity in Bolivia's Foreign Policy Toward Chile Under Morales

The main source of bilateral instability and potential conflict in South America consists of those factors to which most international relations theorists (Holsti, Hoffmann, Keohane & Nye) have paid the least attention, namely, issues of memory, identity, and nationalism. The potential for inter-state conflict (not necessarily violent) between Bolivia and Chile largely involve disputes over history and territory, linked as they are to the unresolved legacy of the War of the Pacific: a landlocked Bolivia. The “history disputes” that surround Bolivia´s lack of sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean, continue to be a source of instability for the southern cone. The clash between an increasingly divergent Chilean posture and Bolivia´s new multilateral approach to the issue represents a new challenge for Bolivian policy on Chile. Similarly, the rise of pan -nationalism in Bolivia is another key factor to consider. Linked to the rise of new and competing nationalisms in Bolivia is Chile’s realignment with the United States. Bolivia´s deep mistrust of U.S. foreign policy in the region complicates the 13 point negotiating agenda started between Morales and Bachelet. Bolivian handling of these issues, involving questions of identity and interpretations of history, and Chilean inflexibility under Piñera´s government, could wreak havoc with the entire apparatus of bilateral agreements and generate unforeseen conflict. Using mostly secondary sources, this paper identifies the main issues and reflects on what could be done to mitigate the (re)emerging nationalisms in the region in order to promote a reasonable solution and thereby stability and peace. Breaking with both neorealist and liberal analysis, the paper offers a historicist approach which highlights the central role that memory, history, and identity play in the international relations of the area, with wide-ranging implications for foreign policy.