ELARP

Europe and Latin America

Research Program

Transatlantic Relations and Comparative Regionalism

Transatlantic relations are usually understood as a complex set of activities that, cutting across diverse issue-areas, link Europe to America –restrictedly understood as the United States of America. Recently, however, the region extending southwards from the United States has raised growing attention.

Traditionally influenced by American politics and economy, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are lately re-developing stronger links with Europe. Such a strategic interest on the part of the Latin American countries is paralleled by the growing concern of the European Union (EU) in the experiences of integration and consolidation of democracy that are taking place in LAC. These links are neither purely commercial nor economically driven, as encompassing transatlantic relations are rooted in culture and history. If an ever-interdependent world is to organize around regional building blocs, the analysis of the relation between Europe and LAC may prove significant to assessing the shape of the new global order.

This program arises from the understanding that integration processes have become one of the main foci of interest of regional studies. This is so not only because of their ubiquity but also because they impact simultaneously upon domestic politics and international governance. As a consequence, they contribute to setting up a three-level game whose nature and logic constitute a novelty in global affairs.

ELARP encompasses two broad areas of research: one develops comparative studies concerning Europe and Latin America, whereas the other focuses on transnational issues that link the two regions --particularly regarding EU policies vis-à-vis LAC.

Areas of Research:

Comparative Politics

Regional Integration in Comparative Perspective: this area analyzes the similarities and differences between the EU, on the one hand, and Mercosur, the Andean Community of Nations, the Central American Common Market, and the Caribbean Community on the other. There are two main foci: political economy and international commercial negotiations on the one hand, and the development of regional institutions and mechanisms of regional governance on the other.

Comparative Political Institutions: presidentialism vs. parliamentarism and federalism vs. unitarism are two of the most important dichotomies that organize nation-states. The Atlantic Ocean stands as a watershed regarding the former, whereas the latter cuts across the Atlantic cleavage. It is relevant to appraise how these different mechanisms work and what is their impact on transatlantic relations. Furthermore, given recent developments about political corruption, it is pertinent to analyze the control instruments adopted and implemented during the past decades.

Social cleavages and party politics: social change has followed different paths in Europe and Latin America; ostensibly, the industrial cleavage has not fully developed in the latter as it did in the former. Hence the differences featured by parties and party systems across of the Atlantic. However, the ongoing processes of globalization and regionalization have added an exogenous factor pushing towards a greater convergence. It is thus significant to study the continuities and changes concerning party competition and party government.

Areas of Research:

Transnational Issues

Migration and Human Rights: this area deals with the evolution, comparative features and likely trends of processes that affect cultural values, national identities and labor markets throughout different regions. In particular, transnational and transatlantic migrations are approached in order to measure their impact on cooperation and conflict between the parts involved. It also analyzes, from a historical perspective, the evolution of legislation and governmental policies to protect human rights, both of citizens and foreigners.

Educational, Scientific, Cultural and Communicational Issues: the traditional relevance of these matters becomes remarkably increased in times of a knowledge-based society. This field is highly sensitive to the ongoing processes of globalization and transnationalization, so it seems appropriate to give it a closer look in search of early manifestations as well as enduring trends of broader changes. Comparative studies on social capital and cultural competencies should be carried out to better understand regional particularities and similarities.

Social Movements, the Environment and Labor Regulations: this section comprises three areas that usually overlap with –and get in the way of— commercial negotiations. The first comprises the contestation movements gathered against the so-called neoliberal globalization. The second is especially relevant since the Kyoto Protocol on climate change represents an opportunity for cooperation among developed and developing countries, as it allows for the trade of emission quotas. The third stems from the debate regarding whether universal  labor standards favor the working force of developing countries or, instead, harms it by hindering development.

CIES

Center for Research and

Studies in Sociology