Suchergebnisse

Mercado Común del Cono Sur (Mercosur). Argues that the Southern Cone Common Market is Argentina's only option to break out of the economic impasse. Summaries in English and Spanish p. 411 and 425.

"Seit Beginn des neuen Jahrzehnts hat sich die politische Landschaft in Lateinamerika deutlich verändert. Wirtschaftspolitisch hat sich dies vor allem in einer veränderten Gewichtung der Ziele 'Wirtschaftswachstum' und 'Sozialer Ausgleich' niedergeschlagen. Die Verfasser untersuchen, was diese Neuausrichtung für die Weiterentwicklung des MERCOSUR bedeuten könnte. Als Referenzrahmen wählen sie den so genannten 'Neuen Regionalismus', auf dem der Vertrag von Asuncion basiert. Ausgehend von der Feststellung, dass der Neue Regionalismus tiefe und offene regionale Integration anstrebt wird analysiert, ob die neuen Regierungen diese Ziele noch verfolgen. Die Verfasser kommen zu dem Schluss, dass der MERCOSUR derzeit weit davon entfernt ist, die grundlegenden Bedingungen des Neuen Regionalismus zu erfüllen. Auch fehlt der politische Wille, die Öffnungsstrategien der 1990er Jahre weiterzuführen." (Autorenreferat)

This article explores the genesis of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur), the regional integration scheme grouping Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay since 1991, and which Venezuela joined in 2006. The aim is to portray an accurate account of the diplomatic history of the foundation of Mercosur during the years 1989-1991. Methodologically, a case is made in favour of the use of oral history in the study of high politics. Argentina and Brazil's reading of the new international circumstances of the early 1990s are explored, and so are their respective international insertion strategies. The diplomatic negotiations leading to the 1991 Treaty of Asuncion constitutive of Mercosur are dissected. The relationship between Mercosur and the so-called ACE-14 agreement concluded by Argentina and Brazil in the framework of the Latin American Integration Association is also illustrated, as are the negotiations to incorporate new members to the incipient common market. The final section suggests that, while there was an overall continuity in the integration project in the Southern Cone between 1985 and 1991, nonetheless Mercosur was a departure from previous objectives, timing and methodology. For good or ill, Mercosur was the creation of the neo-liberal governments of Presidents Menem of Argentina and Collor of Brazil and the result of broader changes at the international level. Adapted from the source document.

MERCOSUR is the world's fourth largest trade area, considering its economic importance. It was established by the Asuncion Treaty, signed on March 26, 1991. On January 1, 1995, a Customs Union was established between the four member countries, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

"The author explores in her chapter the EU external policies with regard to EU-Mercosur relations. Due to deeply embedded norms of both liberalism and protectionism and as a result of EU's promotion of both development and regional integration, EU policy towards Mercosur marks a stark contrast to the policy of the USA in this region. This contribution applies historical institutionalism in order to comprehend how liberal tenants of EU competition policy as well as the protectionism of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have shaped the EU-Mercosur relationship. In particular, Spain's aspirations in promoting EU-Latin American relations and the contribution of the EU's competition policy with regard to the Southern Cone, will be examined." (author's abstract)