The Role of Regional Security Dynamics in Regionalism: An alternative approach to evaluate the successes and failures of regionalism: Case study: UNASUR
Author
Kirk, Louise
Term
4. term
Publication year
2017
Submitted on
2017-05-31
Pages
71
Abstract
Dette speciale udfordrer den udbredte opfattelse af sydamerikansk regionalisme som en fiasko målt på manglende dyb økonomisk integration og politisk konvergens. Med afsæt i nyere pres på etablerede regionale projekter argumenterer afhandlingen for, at regionalismens årsager, virkninger og bedømmelse af succes og fiasko er tæt forbundet med regionale sikkerhedsdynamikker. Gennem en case om UNASUR anvender specialet Barry Buzans og Ole Wævers Regional Security Complex Theory til at kortlægge Sydamerikas sikkerhedskonstellation og undersøger de ændringer i sikkerhedsmiljøet fra de første samarbejdsforslag i 1990’erne til unionens etablering i 2008, herunder de subregionale projekter, der formede UNASUR undervejs. Hovedfundene peger på, at den gængse kritik undervurderer regionale projekters rolle i at konsolidere demokratiske normer, forbedre betingelser for autonom udvikling, fremme regional stabilitet, styrke en social dagsorden og øge oprindelige folks synlighed i politik. Ved at forstå sydamerikansk regionalisme som udtryk for sikkerhedsdynamikker tegner specialet et mere nuanceret billede af regionens politiske og økonomiske succeser og fiaskoer og tydeliggør de overordnede spørgsmål, der binder divergerende interesser sammen i UNASUR. Afslutningsvis anbefales det at integrere indsigter om regionale sikkerhedsdynamikker bedre i politikudvikling og i den bredere regionalismeforskning.
This thesis challenges the common view that South American regionalism has failed because it lacks deep economic integration and political convergence. Motivated by recent pressures on widely cited regional successes, it argues that the causes, effects, and evaluation of regionalism are closely tied to regional security dynamics. Using a case study of UNASUR, the thesis applies Barry Buzan and Ole Wæver’s Regional Security Complex Theory to map South America’s security constellation and examines how shifts in the security environment—from early cooperation proposals in the 1990s to UNASUR’s creation in 2008—shaped the project, including the subregional initiatives that fed into the union. The main findings suggest that prevailing critiques overlook the contribution of regional projects to consolidating democratic norms, improving conditions for autonomous development, promoting regional stability, advancing a strong social agenda, and increasing the political visibility of indigenous communities. Viewing South American regionalism as an expression of security dynamics yields a more nuanced picture of the region’s political and economic successes and failures and clarifies the overarching issues that bind diverse interests within UNASUR. The thesis concludes by recommending a more systematic integration of regional security dynamics into policy debates and the broader study of regionalism.
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