Nearly 200 years ago, Simon Bolivar famously declared that Latin America was unruly
The sea remains to be seen if the future of Latin America in the twenty-first century will realize Bolivar's "Ultimate Dream" or be sentenced to plow. To this day, I believe that Simon Bolivar's laments are still very important in Latin American politics. Considering his words, it is clear that Bolivar's dream was a united Latin America. In spite of his dreams failing, provoking him to condemn the revolutionists as having plowed the sea, my opinion is that Simon Bolivar was right all along for the reasons that Latin America must unite in order to remain competitive in the modern world. The paper looks into the possibility of a future unity of Latin America in the 21st Century given the current trends and advances towards the integration.
Formation of New Organizations in Latin America
With the formation of new organizations in the region, I am confident that Bolivar's dream will come to reality in the 21st century. Mazepus et al. (2016) point out some of the regional organizations that have formed which include ALBA, UNASUR, and CELAC formed in the years 2004, 2008, and 2011 respectively (p. 352). The formation of these regional organizations and which have a common agenda raises the hopes and increase the probability of the formation of united Latin America in the near future. With the current trends and their agenda, it is imminent that the three agencies are working towards a paradigm of regional integration of the Latin America region and more so towards developmental growth. According to Diamond (2002), the ALBA group was created as an alternative for the Free Trade for the Latin America countries based on the argument that the region needed an independent path to achieve economic growth (p 28). However, the formation of ALBA was met with stiff opposition but eventually sailed through. This demonstrated a substantial economic model change by the area and also indication that the influence of the United States to the Latin America nations has decreased (Williamson 1993, p 133). The ALBA ideology was pioneered by the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who encouraged a relationship among the member states that was not only based on free trade only but also cooperation, exchange of services, and solidarity among the economic and ideological allies. This trend affirms my opinion that the region is working towards the formation of a united Latin America and therefore Bolivar's dream.
Efforts for Independence and Freedom
Another piece of evidence that supports my assertion that the Latin America is moving towards the path of integration is their efforts to have independence and freedom of any influence from the western nations, especially the United States. The CELAC and UNASUR are offering a new economic model of integration within the Latin America region, excluding the United States and Canada. Castaneda (2006) sees this as a push for unity among the Latin America (p.28). Learning from the unity of the United States and Europe in addressing the challenges of global financial crisis, the Latin American states are following suit in an effort to avert economic slump in the region (Diamond 2002, p 25). This sheds light on the looming likelihood of a united Latin America.
Support of Powerful Countries
Furthermore, more powerful countries are coming up in support of an integrated Latin America and therefore acknowledging my belief that the Bolivar's dream is not far from becoming a reality in the 21st century. An example is Brazil which has been vibrant of the regional integration especially through its advocating for the creation of UNASUR, an organization for all South American nations. According to Chodor and McCarthy-Jones (2013), UNASUR offers a new forum for the corporation whereby the Latin American countries can solve and deal with their problems (p. 218). Similarly, the CELAC provides another avenue for the Latin American states where they can have a common goal for economic, political, and social development in the region. This is an indication that the ideology and dream of Simon Bolivar for an independent Latin America free of influence from the western nations are actually coming to be (Castaneda 2006, p 28). Moreover, the organization enables the Latin American countries to speak one voice on international or global control without the influence of the United States. Furthermore, some of the Latin America countries such as Venezuela are making attempts to restructure in social, political, and economic aspects so that they can meet the standards of the 21st-century socialism. More nations in the region are taking a similar stand towards the political and economic reforms and therefore pushing the region towards integration besides growth in both economic and political scales. These situations hint on the increased chances of an integrated Latin America in the 21st century.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the realization of a united Latin America, Bolivar's dream, is not far from reality given the present day trends and advances towards integration as demonstrated by nations from this region. I believe that Bolivar's dream will come to reality in the 21st century. The primary reason behind my assertion is the current trends in the formation of regional organization involving the Latin American countries whereby they share a common agenda. Some of these regional organizations are ALBA formed in 2004, UNASUR formed in 2008, and CELAC formed in 2011. The second reason is the fact that the Latin America nations are showing substantial efforts of being independent and free from the influence of the western nations such as the United States. Lastly, key and influential nations such as Brazil are coming up strongly in support of a United Latin America. The unity of the Latin America is of great importance given that it is indispensable if the desirable goal of gaining a competitive lead in the modern world is to be realized. Therefore, Simon Bolivar was right from the beginning in advocating for his dreams of an integrated America, and this is going drawing closer to reality in the 21st century.
References
Castañeda, J.G., 2006. Latin America’s left turn. Foreign Aff., 85, p.28.
Chodor, T. and McCarthy-Jones, A., 2013. Post-liberal regionalism in Latin America and the influence of Hugo Chávez. Journal of Iberian and Latin American Research, 19(2), pp.211-223.
Diamond, L.J., 2002. Thinking about hybrid regimes. Journal of democracy, 13(2), pp.21-35.
Mazepus, H., Veenendaal, W., McCarthy-Jones, A. and Trak Vásquez, J.M., 2016. A comparative study of legitimation strategies in hybrid regimes. Policy Studies, 37(4), pp.350-369.
McCarthy-Jones, A. and Greig, A., 2011. Somos Hijos de Sandino Y Bolivar: Radical Pan-American Traditions in Historical and Cultural Context. Journal of Iberian and Latin American Research, 17(2), pp.231-248.
Williamson, J., 1993. Democracy and the “Washington consensus”. World Development, 21(8), pp.1329-1336.
