Power and Regionalism in Latin America

Laura Gómez-Mera is assistant professor in the Department of International Studies at the University of Miami.

"Power and Regionalism in Latin America adds depth and breadth to scholarly reflections on Mercosur and more widely on the drivers of regional cooperation. It carefully distinguishes between survival and success of integration. The interplay of systemic forces, especially regional power configurations, and domestic interests, especially state agencies' preferences, will determine whether Mercosur will be a case of one or the other. For now, Gomez-Mera provides a convincing explanation of what is perhaps the only consistency in Mercosur's trajectory: its inconsistency." —Bulletin of Latin American Research"This is a solid book explaining the apparently erratic pattern of conflict and cooperation in the South American integration bloc, MERCOSUR. A careful theoretical scheme includes domestic, bureaucratic, and external bloc forces to explain the evolution of this regional integration bloc . . . [while] adding specificity to the interaction between regionalism and globalization in a developing region." —Choice"A careful theoretical scheme includes domestic, bureaucratic, and external bloc forces to explain the evolution of this [MERCOSUR] regional integration bloc. . . . The multidimensional theoretical approach does clearly get at the complexity of the MERCOSUR case, in which domestic actors are influential but the state, albeit often divided, remains central in responding to domestic and international pressures." —Choice"Power and Regionalism in Latin America uses a sophisticated model to explain the apparently erratic pattern of conflict and cooperation in Mercosur. Gomez Mera's contribution is unique in that she creatively combines IR theory with the International Political Economy literature on regionalism and regional trade agreements. The result is a path-breaking study that sheds light on the specificity of regionalism in South America." —Mario E. Carranza, Texas A&M University-Kingsville"In a very engaging and accessible manner, Laura Gómez-Mera has successfully applied the standing theories of international relations to the case of MERCOSUR. She has woven together international/systemic and domestic theories as these pertain to the role and interaction of Brazil and Argentina, the two main middle powers in MERCOSUR. Through this analysis of regional integration and interstate conflict and cooperation, Gómez-Mera thoroughly covers all the necessary methodological bases while also bringing her subject to life. The sectoral case studies she provides reflect a tremendous amount of original fieldwork; those, combined with a sophisticated conceptual framework, comprise a valuable contribution to the field." —Carol Wise, University of Southern California"This study provides a theoretically sophisticated and empirically rich analysis of the complex links between regional cooperation and inequalities of power. Its carefully researched re-construction of the patterns of conflict and cooperation within MERCOSUR represents a valuable addition to our understanding of regional dynamics within South America and their connection with domestic politics. It also significantly advances the debate on a crucial broader question in the study of contemporary global politics and political economy: the relationship between regionalism and a world of emerging regional powers." —Andrew Hurrell, University of Oxford"Gómez-Mera offers an extremely valuable contribution to our understanding of why the globe is fragmenting into regional blocs—and the implications for the future of international relations theory and practice. By masterfully integrating domestic interest groups and institutions, she brings life to the formation of foreign policy. Equally valuable are the bright lights she shines on the dangerously underdeveloped study of Brazilian foreign policy and interests." —Richard Feinberg, University of California, San Diego