Latin American Foreign Policies in the New World Order: The Active Non-Alignment Option

For a long time, Latin America has considered itself “the middle class of nations”—not as rich the North Atlantic countries but more so than those of Africa and Asia. This notion, however, was always a bit of an artifice, and it has become especially apparent now as the region descends from periphery to “diplomatic eclipse”, in the words of Alain Rouquié. How can this trend be reversed?

Latin American Foreign Policies in the New World Order: The Active Non-Alignment Option, edited by Jorge Heine, Carlos Fortin and Carlos Ominami, brings together some of the region’s leading analysts and foreign policymakers to argue that active non-alignment is the path to follow if the region is to realize its full potential and occupy its rightful place in the concert of nations. Steeped in the best traditions of the Global South, but sharply attuned to the imperatives of the new century, active non-alignment constitutes a guide to foreign policy action in a world in turmoil, where those not present at the table shaping the new system will be left behind.

Charting the change from the old cahiers des doléances diplomacy championing the New International Economic Order to the current financial statecraft of the New South, reflected in entities like the Asian Investment and Infrastructure Bank and the New Development Bank, the book opens new vistas for Latin America. Yet, the forging of collective action will require a much more concerted effort at regional cooperation that has been extant until now. For those purposes, the book argues, active non-alignment provides the right set of tools.

On Thursday, September 14 from 4:00-6:00PM, join us for a hybrid event featuring the editor, Jorge Heine, Research Professor, Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies and contributor Jorge Castañeda, Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Mexico. The event will be moderated by Susan Eckstein, Professor at the Pardee School of Global Studies and Sociology, Boston University.

Light refreshments will be provided at a reception following the event. This event is consponsored with the Boston University Center for Latin American Studies.

Register to attend in-person: https://gdpcenter.org/Nonalignment

Register to attend online: https://gdpcenter.org/GEGI-Fall-2023