Understanding U.S.-Latin American Relations

LASA2013 Awards Luciano Tomassini Book Award: HONORABLE MENTION: Mark Eric Williams , Understanding U.S.-Latin American Relations: Theory and History (Routledge, 2011) "Understanding U.S.Latin American Relations is a sophisticated, clearly written, and well-argued overview of the changing relations between the United States and the diverse countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, from the Monroe Doctrine in the early nineteenth century to the twenty-first century challenges of intermestic issues in a multipolar hemisphere and a transforming global context. It draws superbly both on key theoretical concepts of international relations and on deep knowledge of the history of inter-American affairs." Abraham F. Lowenthal, Professor of International Relations, University of Southern California "This book is a wonderful introduction to the evolution of U.S.Latin American relations from the nineteenth century to the present. Its special virtue is its lucid, balanced, and systematic application of key international relations theories to hemispheric relations." Cynthia McClintock, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director, Latin American and Hemispheric Studies Program, George Washington University "This book merges theory and history to illuminate U.S.Latin American relations in a way that is interesting and stimulating. The text provides ample opportunities for students to consider the importance of theory for understanding international relations and brings Latin American studies into the mainstream. Faculty and students alike will find this a welcome and useful addition to the classroom." David R. Mares, Institute of the Americas Chair for Inter-American Affairs, University of California, San Diego

Mark Eric Williams is Professor of Political Science at Middlebury College. His research interests include U.S.-Latin American Relations, International Relations, Comparative Latin American Political Economy, Venezuelan Foreign Policy, and Mexican Politics.

1. Why U.S.-Latin American Relations Matter (And Sometimes seem Unintelligible) 2. Foreign Policy Determinants: International Systems and Levels of Causality 3. The Expansion of American Power 4. Hemispheric Relations through WWII 5. The Cold War Comes to Latin America 6. Crisis Management 7. Responding to Revolutions 8. Globalization and Interdependence 9. Hemispheric Relations in the 21st Century