1st Edition

The United States and Argentina Changing Relations in a Changing World

    Historically, Argentina has been one of the strongest, most independent countries of Latin America. It seems odd then, that Argentina should develop a foreign policy during the post-Cold War period characterized by a strong allegiance to the United States. However, the end of the bilateral world left the U.S. foreign policy much less focused at the same time that Argentine foreign policy became much more focused. For Argentina, domestic changes-especially economic and political instability-encouraged the government to redefine U.S.-Argentine relations from prior patterns of conflict and distrust, in order to improve the country's international image and attract foreign support. Covering two decades of history, this book seeks to explain for the first time, the reasons for the emergence of a strong friendship between the United States and Argentina. Beginning with the history of U.S.-Argentine relations up until the end of the Cold War, the text then considers changes in:
    The international political system
    The nature of domestic politics and their influence on foreign policy-making in both countries
    Recent issues in U.S.-Argentine relations
    The United States and Argentina sets out to explore the nature of U.S.-Argentinean relations by concentrating on the issues which have shaped and stood out in the dialogue between the two countries and how this shifting relationship has been played out in international institutions. This will be the fourth in our Contemporary Inter-American Relations Series.

    Series PrefaceIntroduction1. Autonomous Argentina: A HIstory of U.S.-Argentine Relations2. The New International Order and the Transformation of U.S.-Argentine Relations3. The Making of Foreign Policy: Competing Models in the United States and Argentina4. Defining the Terms of Friendship: Issues in U.S.-Argentine Relations5. International Institutions and the Bilateral Relationship: An Accommodation with Limits6. Conclusion NotesIndex

    Biography

    Deborah Norden is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Whittier College. Roberto Russell is Director of Academic Affairs, Institute of the Foreign Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Full Professor, University Torcuato Di Tella, Buenos Aires.

    "[This book] represents an important contribution to the literature on international affairs and diplomatic history. Argentine-US relations have improved dramatically in the last ten years, yet it is not obvious why the turnaround occurred. To my knowledge, this is the first English-language book to describe the transformation and attempt to identify its domestic and international causes. The book should become a standard reference in the field."-Professor Michael Tomz, Stanford University."
    "...an insightful analysis of the evolution of relations between countries that have often been at odds with each other. The volume is particularly useful in its nuanced analysis of the new policy directions under President Carlos S. Menem - his government represented a critical juncture in redefining the bilateral relationship in the context of rapid and unexpected shifts within the context of globalization. The volume provides a much needed and authoritative review of the relationship, its evolution, and its interaction with key shifts in the post-Cold War era." -- Riordan Roett, The Sarita and Don Johnston Professor and Director of the Western Hemisphere Program, School for Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University
    "A valuable contribution for understanding one of the most complex phenomena within the hemisphere: Argentine-North American relations. The United States and Argentina covers the history and present of these relations objectively and persuasively." -- -Mario Rapoport, Director of the Institute of Research on Economic and Social History Faculty of Economic Sciences University of Buenos Aires