Political Science 221, Latin American Politics Winter Term 2005

Session 7: Cuba, the Caribbean, and Central America

I. Are the small states of Latin America hopelessly dependent?

A. Structural Constraints on the "Small States" of Latin America: The Cuban Case

B. How "Small States" Cope in a World of "Great Powers" (graphic)

1) Political Strategies

2) Economic Strategies

C. How Hegemonic is the U.S. over the "Small States" of Latin American?

1) The Pattern of U.S. Policy in Succession Crises (graphic)

2) Assessing U.S. Influence: The Outcomes of Succession Crises (graphic)

3) The Limitations of U.S. Policy Options (graphic)

D. American Foreign Policy in Latin America: Evidence from Two Administrations

1) Carter

a) General goals

b) Specific goals

c) Assessments

2) Reagan

a) General goals

b) Specific goals

c) Assessments

3) Lessons

II. Is revolution a way out of dependency?

Simulation #2: The Island Revolution Scenario

III. Can the U.S. play a productive role in the Latin American small states?

Viewing of PBS Frontline: “The Drug War.”

Key Concepts: structural causes; hegemony; positive and negative sanctions; succession crises; the middle sector; "democracy by pressure"; multilaterialism; human rights; the Reagan Doctrine; "quiet diplomacy"; unilateralism; the Contadora process; the Boland Amendment; the Iran-Contra Affair; democracy by centrist transition; democracy by force; democracy by applause; democracy by pressure; the Kissinger Commission.

Key Individuals: Fidel Castro; Jacobo Arbenz; Anastasio Somoza; Henry Kissinger; Jeane Kirkpatrick; Alexander Haig; William Casey (CIA); Richard Allen; William Clark; George Shultz; Oscar Arias; José Napoleón Duarte; Maurice Bishop and the New Jewel Movement; General Manuel Antonio Noreiga.

Floating Comprehensive Exam Questions: Answer One (Due Tuesday, March 8)

(A) Assess to what extent perceptions and misperceptions have shaped the way that American foreign policy has responded to "succession crises" in the small Latin American states. What lessons would you draw from these cases that might help improve the U.S.’s relations with these states?

(B) Compare the special problems of the small Latin American states to those of the large ones. Be sure to discuss at least three major areas in which the small states might be said to have “special problems.” Assess to what extent these states have been able to overcome these special problems in some countries. What lessons would you draw from these experiences for the region as a whole?

You must answer one of these questions if you have only answered one exam question before this session.