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AbstractThe issue of regional integration has been widely analyzed and debated for a long time. Yet, there is still a limited connection between regional integration issues and geopolitical perspectives. With an analysis focused on Latin America, this study aims to map out theory and practice on this subject. In doing so, the study explores different points of view in relation to regions and geopolitics, and how these two elements are combined in the specific topic of regional integration. This article shows that, in Latin America, there are specific contributions, such as the so‐called 'geopolitics of integration'. Different variations across time and states are identified, as well as common elements such as the search for 'autonomy' and 'development' as related to issues such as 'nationalism' and 'resistance' toward imperialism.

The crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic is certainly one of the worst in recent Latin American history. Forecasts for 2020 show a drop in the exports sector of approximately 23%, and a 9% reduction in gross domestic product (GDP). Unemployment is projected to rise from 8.1% in 2019 to 13.5% in 2020, and the poverty rate is expected to climb 7%, to 37.3% poverty is expected rise 4.5% (ECLAC, 2020a). The number of deaths due to Covid-19 in the region has thus far reached more than 210,000 (Johns Hopkins University, 2020), and Latin America is clearly one of the most-affected regions in the world.As is known, this is not the first time the region has been affected by a pan-demic. The initial European colonization was characterized by pandemics with devastating consequences for indigenous peoples. In more recent times we had the so-called Spanish flu pandemic, from 1918 to the early 1920s, which is an interesting case to compare with the current situation. Figures on deaths at that time are not definitive, but there are estimates of approximately 40,000 in Chile, and of more than 12,000 in Argentina (López & Beltrán, 2013). An important sim-ilarity between the Spanish flu and Covid-19 is how they uncovered the flaws of states with an inadequate health sector, as well as strong geographic and social asymmetries within states all over the world and between Latin American states (Carbonetti, 2010, p. 171). Then, as now, the fallout from the pandemic was a wake-up call, making leading political actors and social forces more aware of the problems of social inequality and pushing demand for a more efficient overall state apparatus.

The aim of this paper is to analyze the relation between state and nation in the light of systemic changes since the late 1980s; a period of time that has been generally identified with the word 'globalization'. This concept is still a rather loose one that does not yet define an established system, but rather, a period of rapid changes in the transformation of the global capitalist system. Two major changes that we want to point out are: a) the emergence of the United Nations System in 1945; and b) the end of bipolarity after the Cold War, with the strengthening of new global 'spheres of authority' made up by markets, multilateral entities, international organizations and new forms of global networks. There are also lines of continuity where one of the most relevant is the maintenance of the nation-state as a central pillar of the system. Yet, this 'continuity' is increasingly eroding, leading to a dilemma which is one of our central tenets: at the same time that the position of nation-states seems to be loosing strength, there is also a growing request for states to take action and solve problems. The hypothesis discussed in this article is that such 'dilemma' requires a re-thinking about 'state' and 'nation' in relation to the new geography of international relations. As we see it globalization is forcing all nations to redefine themselves and their state-organizations. Still, the challenge is different for each institutional environment. Albeit current systemic changes might carry a strong homogenizing force, there is also a strong heterogeneity in the way in which different cultures cope with changes. We chose here to analyze this transformation from an always conceptually difficult 'Latin American' perspective.

Mirrors of Change is a cross-sectional study of micro and macro institutional environments that envisages to analyse shifts in the sources of institutional legitimacy since the 1960s. The main aim is to understand whether homogenising macro institutions are adopted at the micro institutional levels. In order to do this, the study examines the heterogenising elements that are specific to local environments. At the micro level, the focus is on two industry associations, namely, the Cámara de Industrias del Uruguay (CIU) and Sociedad de Fomento Fabril (SFF). At the macro level, the investigation is centred on what is termed in this study as 'World-Culture', composed of a group of global institutions. As the study shows, World-culture is a source of new social identities, norms, rules and values through which individuals and organisations rationally organise and pursue their interests. An important question is whether the role of the nation-state in Chile and Uruguay has changed since the 1960s. The study concludes that there is a clear shift from national to global and regional sources of legitimacy. In both cases, the intensity of interaction with macro institutions (World-culture) has been greater in the 1990s compared to the 1960s. The role of the state as prime source of institutional legitimacy at the national environmental level has decreased since global institutions through carriers like International Organisations that are beyond the reach of the state. While the homogenising exogenous institutions wielded greater influence in Chilean and Uruguayan environments, the clashes with traditional domestic institutions had a different character that stimulated new and particular forms of 'remix'. The CIU went through a process of NGOisation, while the SFF increased its interaction with the state and the region. The two cases examined in this study show distinct responses to common problems owing to different cultural environments.

"This interdisciplinary edited volume explores the political economy of regionalism in Latin America. It identifies convergent forces which have existed in the region since its very conception and analyses these dynamics in their different historical, geographic and structural contexts. Particular attention is paid to key countries such as Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, as well as sub-regions like the Southern Cone and Central America. To understand the resilience of regionalism in Latin America, this book proposes to highlight four main issues. Firstly, that resilience is linked to mechanisms of self-enforcement that are part of the accumulation of experiences, institution building, and common cultural features described in this book as regionalist acquis. Secondly, the elements and driving forces behind the promotion and expression of the regionalist acquis are influenced and shaped by nested systems in which social processes are inserted. Thirdly, when looking at systems, there is a particular influence by national and global ones, which condition the form and endurance of regional projects. Finally, beyond systems, the book highlights the relevance of agents as crucial players in the shaping of the resilience of regionalism in Latin America. This insightful collection will appeal to advanced students and researchers in international economics, international relations, international political economy, economic history and Latin American studies."

Inhaltsverzeichnis: A prologue of integration -- Distant but not absent: Brazil and Latin America from the independence to the International American Congress -- Brazil and the making of Latin America -- Setting the path for integration: developmentalism, nationalism, and integration -- Brazil and the contemporary path of integration: from MERCOSUR to CELAC -- Conclusion.