Battle for the Americas : U.S. and Venezuelan visions for Latin America

Abstract

This is a thesis about how Washington views and understands itself in relation to Latin America. So too, however, is it an investigation into how this particular reading is being challenged principally, but not exclusively, by the Hugo Chavez administration in Venezuela. Conceptualising this antagonism as a 'Battle for the Americas', the thesis juxtaposes rival attempts by both Washington and Caracas to co-opt the rest of Latin America into their respective political and ideological projects. Taking an analytical approach influenced by post-structuralist thinking, it explores the politics of representing Latin America. It focuses on how a U.S. reading of its 'backyard' confirms its pre-eminence, but also illustrates how a Venezuelan reading energises its claims for emancipatory change. Accordingly, the thesis explores crucial issues of hegemonic power in the post-Cold War era and its particular manifestation in U.S.-Latin American relations. This is done in three parts. First, it demonstrates how U.S.-authored representations of Latin America limit what is deemed possible and who are seen as legitimate actors; second, how this reading is being resisted; and third, how this resistance, in tum, affects U.S. identity and foreign policy possibilities. It does so by exploring contemporary issues on the thinking and practice of democracy, economic development and regional diplomacy. This investigation will show how Latin America is acting in an increasingly autonomous fashion and is, therefore, a less certain region for the United States, as it can no longer be relied upon to conform to U.S. ways of thinking and acting. The thesis then concludes by revealing how this shift not only recasts inter-American politics by redefining the 'art of the possible', but also displaces Washington as the central actor and standard-bearer for the region.