Realist and Pluralist elements of UNASUR

KEISER UNIVERSITY – LATIN AMERICAN CAMPUS

UNASURIts Realist and

Pluralist ElementsRafael AndradeRosa MelendezAllan Saravia

22/11/2013

POLT 205: Term Paper Dr. AlvaroTaboada

UNASUR – Its Realist and Pluralist Elements 2

POLT 205

Allan Saravia

Rafael Andrade

Rosa Melendez

PhD. Alvaro Taboada

November 22nd, 2013

Realist and Pluralist elements of UNASUR

Introduction

UNASUR

o History

o Structure

o Foundations

Members of UNASUR

o Functions (of the state members inside UNASUR)

o Objectives of the state members

Functions and Responsibilities

o Resolutions

o Dispositions

o Communicates

Conclusion


Thesis Statement: Demonstrate how the realist and pluralist

theories has influenced UNASUR and which are the main

elements of it.

ABSTRACT

The association of states in a given geographic area or

regional integration has been widely used all around the

world. First signs of integration can be found centuries ago.

A new organization called the Union of South American Nations

(Spanish acronym UNASUR) was born with no less important

goals than unifying South America as one nation, creating

South American Parliament or establishing single common

currency. Though the group remains unknown to most of the US

public - and is rarely referred to by US policy makers - it

has, in the space of a few years, emerged as one of the


Western Hemisphere’s leading multilateral bodies and, in the

process, is rapidly undermining the regional clout of the

Washington-based Organization of American States (Spanish

acronym OEA). (Main, 2010) Even though in last few years it

has made some achievements, mainly diplomatic, most of their

targets remain unrealized. Are there really the reasons of

building a new organization when there has been already great

number of the integration attempts in the 20 century?

HISTORY OF UNASUR

Throughout history, when there were talks of regional

integration, the reference would be restricted to a small

group such as the Southern Cone countries, the Andean or

Amazonian countries, or it would be generalized to the whole

Latin American continent, Caribbean included. Since the 1960s


many initiatives have approached different regional

integration models, as the Latin American Free Trade

Association (ALALC), the Latin American Integration

Association (ALADI), the Common South Market (MERCOSUR), the

Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (OTCA) and the Andean

Community of Nations (CAN).

According to the official web site of UNASUR, The union

of South America Nations (UNASUR) is an international

conglomerate organization created in 2008 for the development

of different sectors of the southern American countries. It

contributed to the local government integration in many

spheres like energy, education, health, security, environment

and many others fields that help the progress of the

countries of South America. Nonetheless, there are only 12

members countries integrated to the union of south America

nations which are: The republic of Argentina, The republic of

Bolivia, The republic of Brazil, The republic of Chile, The

republic of Colombia, The republic of Ecuador, The republic

of Guyana, The republic of Paraguay, The republic of Peru,

The republic of Suriname, The republic of Uruguay, The


republic of Venezuela and the only country which is not yet a

member is the republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Furthermore,

two further countries Mexico and Panama are only considered

as observer status and take a strong interest in the affairs

of UNASUR.

Since the 2000s, the South American integration process

has experienced important changes, such as the stagnation of

the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations, in

2005, the creation of the Union of South America Nations

(UNASUR), in 2008, and the creation of some

‘institutionalities’ in the Common Market of the South

(MERCOSUR). Thus, the debate on the need to consolidate a

process of economic integration more consistently and

robustly in South America – based on monetary and financial

cooperation to ensure macroeconomic stability and avoid

financial and exchange rate crises in the South American

countries and the creation of a development bank to finance

the regional infrastructure (roads, transportation,

telecommunications, power generation and transmission etc.) –

has come to be on the agenda. This point is corroborated by


UNCTAD (2007), which argues that there is no better

alternative available to the major emerging economies,

including South American economies, than regional

integration.(Filho, 2012)

Earlier the month of May, in 2010, as the US loudly

complained about Venezuela’s decision to purchase arms from

Russia, South America’s ministers of defense came together in

Guayaquil, Ecuador and put the finishing touches on an

agreement to develop common mechanisms of transparency in

defense policy and spending. The agreement, which also calls

for the creation of a multilateral Center for Strategic

Defense Studies, is the most recent example of the growing

effectiveness of UNASUR. (Main, 2010)

On 2012, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of

Ecuador, Kintto Lucas, as Chief of the Ecuadorian delegation

participated in the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs

of the member countries of the Union of South American

Nations (UNASUR), in Asuncion, Paraguay, held on March 17.

“UNASUR emerged as a strategic project of the South American


countries to consolidate and strengthen the integration of

the sub-continent as a block in a multi-polar world as we

aspire. Beyond the different political views or ideological

governments, there is a consensus that in a world of blocks,

UNASUR plays and will play an important role. This strategic

project must have strategic proposals that mark its way”, he

said.

At the meeting, Member States embraced Ecuador’s

proposal to analyze the creation of an instance for the

treatment and promotion of human rights in UNASUR. In this

regard they passed the creation of a working group of experts

to discuss and make proposals on the subject. The first

meeting will be held in Quito, next May, in 2013. Finally,

the Ministers of Foreign Affairs conducted an analysis on the

international, regional and global levels, coinciding in the

outlook for multilateral diplomacy and shared the vision in

the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio

+20); Third Summit South American Arab Countries (ASPA) and

the Third Summit of South America-Africa (ASA).(Foreign

Ministers, 2012)


MERCOSUR and CAN

According to Peter Kaspar (2011), before the existent of

UNSUR there were already two important multinational

corporations. The Common South Market (MERCOSUR) appears in

1980s. It has past thrown some up and down. MERCOSUR has

maintained through several crises from political to

economical, but has also completed many economic and

political accomplishments. The Andean Community of Nations

(CAN) represents the senior institution among all it was

built in 1960s. The Andean Community of Nations compromise of

develop of structure and in the past decade the Andean

Community of Nations (CAN) has been exceptional for its

disagreements among the state members. Both were gather

together and created the South America Community of Nations

abbreviated as CSN, but this was not the first idea to unify

the Common South Market MERCOSUR and The Andean Community

since the first option was the South American Free Trade Area

(SAFTA) in the 1990s but MERCOSUR and the Andean Community of


Nations (CAN) ideology were focus on “open regionalism”.

Nonetheless, at the turn of the years, Problems with the

institution have occurred. Just for no enter in details

events such as Venezuelan and Colombian dispute or even a

financial crisis of Real in Brazil and after in Argentina

this had a opposite impact and caused a failure of a free

trade agreement ,and the plans of the creation of South

American Free Trade Area just shutdown. In 2002, The South

American presidents were conveyed again in Guayaquil,

Ecuador, and they declared:”Presidents reiterated their will

to continue promoting actions of coordination and cooperation

with a view to creating a common South American space”.

Transition

After two international meetings the leaders of the

South American Countries organize a strategic plan for the

common of opportunities and challenges for the South American

Nations it was name as the Community of South American

Nations (CASA). Nonetheless, in the first South American


Energy Summit meeting this took place in April of 2007 in

Margarita Island, Venezuela. The Community of South American

Nations changed its name to the Union South American Nations

(UNASUR), and from 2007 to the present has remained as it.

According to the Constituent Treaty, a “determination to

build an identity, South American citizenship and developing

a regional integrated zone to contribute to the strengthening

unity of Latin America and the Caribbean.”

One year after the transition from CSN to UNASUR, it took

place in Brazil the extraordinary reunion of the Council of

heads of state and the government who approved the Treaty

Establishing of the union of the Southern American Nations,

UNASUR, designating as the permanent headquarters of the

General Secretariat in Quito, capital of Ecuador, and

Parliament to Cochabamba, Bolivia. Since the Treaty

Establishing was approved 23 of May of 2008 the Union of

South America Nations (UNASUR) set up a reunion for clarify

and establish some points.


Beginnings of Unasur

Nonetheless, the Union of South America Nations has been

revealing itself as an instrument for the pacific solution of

regional controversies and for strengthening the protection

of democracy in South America. Shortly after its creation,

the organization performed an important role mediating the

separatist crisis of Pando, in Bolivia; 2008.One of the

points is a annual reunion with the Council of heads for

discuss issues. Another point is a reunion with all the prime

ministers of exterior relations. The Pro tempore spot will be

assumed by the current commander in chief of Chile Michelle

Bachelet. The word pro tempore means, for a temporarily; for

the time being. Under the time, when Bachelet was in the

position constituted two councils: The first South American

Defense Council and the first South American Health Council.

On the next year 2009, the Presidency pro tempore, transfer

to the Republic of Ecuador under the current president Rafael

Correa and more Council were created, The South American

Council of Social Development and Education, The South

American Council of Technology and Innovation, The South


American Council of Culture and Science, and The South

American Council to Fight Drug Trafficking, and for last The

South American Council of Infrastructure and Planning.

Nestor Kirchner who was the president of Argentina from

2003 to 2007. In 2010 he serve as the secretary general of

the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).Meanwhile, The

presidency pro tempore was transferred to Bharrat Jagdeo, who

was the commander in chief of the republic of Guyana, and it

was then created the South American Council of economy and

finance. Upon the Enactment of the treaty establishing during

third month of 2011 the were named the future secretary

general for the period of 2011-2012 who was ,the Colombian

former Foreign Chancellor, Maria Emma Mejia. And for the next

period of 2012-2013 is, the Venezuelan former Foreign

Chancellor, Alí Rodriguez Araque. During the period of Maria

Emma Mejia the United Nations granted to the Union of South

American Nations (UNASUR), the standing of observer member.

Since it was approved the formation of the Center for

Strategic Defense Studies (CEED). Also in the same year was

created the electoral council of the Union of South American


Nations, which the first big electoral challenge was the

presidential elections of Venezuela in October of 2012.

(Unasur web page)

STRUCTURE OF UNASUR

The union of the South American nations (UNASUR) is

structured by councils formed by Commanders in Chief of each

state member, Chancellors, Delegates and By Councils dealing

with specific issues. The institutional structure is made up

of the bodies of the constitutional treaty, by the

ministerial councils. The chief director of the sartorial

ministerial reunions, the ministerial councils, and members

of other bodies of the structure of the union of the South

American countries shall belong to the member state that

occupies the Pro Tempore Chair. For each instance, the

president who is in the position can suggest the work


coordination can be allowance with one or more countries,

which will determine by the other Members states of UNASUR.

The ministerial Councils and the established bodies shall

extend their action Plans that will be within the basic

structure of the system of The Union of the South American

Nations political guidelines, established by the council of

Heads of State and government. Likewise, the head of the

Ministerial Council and other permanent bodies of UNASUR will

develop another activity strategy that will be regulated by

the Council of Delegates through the Pro Tempore Chair, in

coordination with the general secretariat. The general

Secretariat will present twice a year a report of the

ministerial Councils to the council of delegates, which shall

be submitted to the Council of Foreign Affairs Minister. The

determiner report shall include the details of the activities

achieve by the Ministerial Councils and the approved

documents. The general Secretariat, with all the documents

presented, in connection with the Pro Tempore Chair, will

submit to the council of head of states and government, A

yearly report where the progress accomplish in the Annual


Activity program of the Union of South American Countries

UNASUR. The departing Pro Tempore Chair shall dovetail with

the incoming Pro Tempore Chair, of the general Secretariat,

for the planning of a proposal for the Annual Activities

Program for the Twelve Month Period. The Annual Program of

activities shall include date and venues for the reunions of

UNASUR’s bodies, at the same time for the meetings of the

Ministerial Councils. (Unasur, web site)

The union of south American countries primary issues are

social policies , financing and environment, energy,

infrastructure, financing, and social policies. Also focusing

in creating peace and security, also deleting socioeconomic

inequality, reaching social inclusion and citizen

participation, reinforce democracy and reducing asymmetries.

UNASUR is confirmed by twelve Sectoral Councils.

South American Energy Council is in charge of

considering instances in which energetic material is

familiar with the nations who belongs the Union of South

American Nations UNASUR.


The South American Defense Council is organization and

coordination related to the issues of defense, with all

the dispositions of the UNASUR Constitutive Treaty. Two

general objectives of the Defense Council are, a-

establish South America as a peaceful region, formal

base for the structure of the democrat stability, the

integral development of the Southern States. and as

helpful example for the international Community. b-

Build a unique South American identity in matter of

defenses, which should take into account some essential

sub regional and national characteristics and which

contribute and enforce the unity of Latin America and

the Caribbean.

The South American Health Council, this Continuing

instance builder by the Ministers of health of the

Countries of UNASUR. An institution for the

consultations and consensus on health subject. As the

general Objective, Is to Consolidate South America to an

opportunity of health integration which will contribute

for the health of every citizen and to the development.


A specific Objective is to enforce the heath ministers

of every state and promote the research and development

of Heath Innovations.

South American Council For Social Development, is a

corporation of dialogue, coordination and reflexion of

the Social and human integrity development, created

under the criteria of the third ordinary reunion of

heads of state and government, pursuant to the UNASUR

Constitutive treaty. A general Objective is, Contribute

mechanism of soldiery cooperation’s in social politics

in a way and consensus, aimed at achieving a

comprehensive social development, reduce asymmetries and

deepen the process of South American integration. A

specific Objective is , Promote Technical Cooperation

activities among member countries of UNASUR.

South American Council of infrastructure and planning is

an instance of political and strategic discussion,

between the consult, evaluation, cooperation, of efforts

and projects to implement regional infrastructure


integrations of the members of Countries of UNASUR.

General Objective is to foment the regional cooperation

in planning and infrastructure through strategic

alliances between UNASUR members state. A specific

Objective is, design regional strategies of planning for

the development of infrastructure .Increase the

capabilities and potentiality of the local and regional

population through the development, with the final

objective to improve it quality and hope of life.

South American Council on the World Drug Problem is a

permanent instance of the Union of South American

Nations for the consult; cooperation and coordination

for address the world drug problems. A general objective

is, Build a South American identity to face the world

drug problem, taking into account international

commitments in this area, as well as national

characteristics and sub-regional, to strengthen unity in

South America. A specific Objective is, Promote actions

to reduce the negative impact on the environment caused


by the world drug problem, in accordance with national

policies of Member States.

South American Council of Economy and Finance is

exemplar concerning the dialogue of reflection, consult

and cooperation in matter of finance and economy in the

framework in the Constitutive treaty of UNASUR. In

concern of this council is focused in general objectives

for example, the economic development and economic

growth to defeat asymmetries through solid and

successful mechanisms of economic complementarily.

Although there is a specific objective which consist in

consider mechanism for coordination of financial Founds

available, on terms more advantageous , in terms and

rates of interest, in respect of markets offered by

regional and extra- regional capital to meet the demands

of development projects and integration of the regional

bloc.

Electoral Council of UNASUR, organize observation tours

around South America and electoral support at the


request of any state member organize the election

process with agreement with the electoral authority.

Nonetheless the electoral authority of the requesting

state handled through of the president pro tempore,

everything related to the scope, integration and

coverage of the observation mission and electoral

support.

South American Educational Council: It is the regional

body in charge for developing plan of action in

education in South America It was member of the South

American Council for education, culture, science ,

technology and innovation. (COSECCTI) that was separate

in November 2012 with the intention of preferable

implementing its authority as explained in the Union of

South American Nations Treaty.

South American Cultural Council It is the regional body

responsible for developing programmers in culture in

South America. It was part of the South American Council

for Education, Culture, Science, Technology and


Innovation (COSECCTI) that were divided in November 2012

with the objective of better implementing its mandate as

described in the Unasur Treaty.

South American Science, Technology and Innovation

Council, It is the regional body responsible for

developing programs in science, technology and

innovation in South America. It was part of the South

American Council for Education, Culture, Science,

Technology and Innovation (COSECCTI) that were divided

in November 2012 with the objective of better

implementing its mandate as described in the Unasur

Treaty.

South American Council on Citizen Security, Justice and

Coordination of Actions against Transnational Organized

Crime, It is the consultation, coordination and

cooperation body of the member-States on issues related

to security, justice and actions against transnational

crime. The countries emphasize the role of the word

“citizen” on the name of the council to reinforce its


intention to act upon social inclusion, participation

and gender equality. (UNASUR, web site) and (South

American Institute of Government in Health official web

site)

FOUNDATIONS

a Pluralism Approach

The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) put forward

a modern model of integration with a pluralism perception

that incorporates diversity and differences into its own

identity, acknowledging the different political and

ideological conception that correspond to the democratic

plurality in the countries of the South American Region. The

Preamble of the Constitutive Treaty of the Union of South

American Nations declares that civic participation and

pluralism are guiding principles, of both South American

integration and unity

The prime key for the successfulness of the Union of

South American Nations (UNASUR) will depend on the

truthfulness of the intentions of the nations involved. The


required level of sincerity will be difficult to reach,

because every country needs to improve its own economy.

Countries such as Colombia, Peru and Chile are very strap to

an open market economy, and they will not wait if they have

the opportunity to boost their economies by means of trade

agreements outside of UNASUR. The current president of

Bolivia Evo Morales explained: “There are three serious

violations to our agreements for which we will file a

complaint with the Andean Council” This kind of attitude

could isolate those countries that are considered hard

leftist such as Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia. A country

such as Venezuela has oil wealth and can afford to live

without a FTA with the United States, but the lesser

developed nations are not in the same position and must seek

assistance from other sources such as the European Union, or

wealthier neighboring countries. That is why some countries

have greater urgency than others to establish UNASUR.

(Cordero, 2009)

a Realism Approach.


A key issue is the successful adoption of the neoliberal

market model in some countries, and the failure of this model in

the others; this divergence is the real issue that will confront

the formation of UNASUR. The historical fact that both neoliberal

and socialist economic ideologies coexist in the same region,

creates a significant challenge for UNASUR. However, that fact

that Brazil, Chile, and Argentina have applied a partially open

economy with some degree of market regulation with a degree of

success may establish the foundation upon which to build the new

Union of South American Nations. Fundamental to UNASUR’s success

will be the elimination of differences caused by the dislike of a

particular economic or political ideology. It will be necessary to

understand that this organization is not a team to threaten other

regions or countries, which some leaders may attempt to, create by

capitalizing on the organization’s momentum. It will be imperative

not to create an organization as a means of political battle

against liberalism or some other ideology. (Kašpar 2011)

FUNCTIONS OF THE STATES MEMBERS INSIDE OF UNASUR


Regional integration is not a new phenomenon to South

America. As it mentioned before UNASUR is a regional

organization that aims to build a participatory and

consensual joint space in the cultural, social, economic and

political affairs of their people. It is formed by the twelve

states of South America had its founding treaty signed in

Brasilia in 2008 during the Special Meeting of the Council of

Heads of State and Government and came into full effect from

March 2011("UNASUR," 2011) . The states priorities are

political dialogue, social policies, education, energy,

infrastructure, finance and the environment, among others, in

order to create peace and security, eliminating socioeconomic

inequality, achieving social inclusion and citizen

participation, strengthen democracy, and reduce

irregularities within the framework of strengthening the

sovereignty and independence of States.

OBJECTIVES OF UNASUR


The treaty establishing the UNASUR clearly states that

its goal is "to build participatory and consensual manner ,

an integration and unity in the cultural , social, economic

and political affairs of their people by giving priority to

political dialogue social policy , education, energy ,

infrastructure , finance and the environment , among others ,

with a view to eliminating socioeconomic inequality , social

inclusion and citizen participation to strengthen democracy

and reduce asymmetries within the framework of strengthening

the sovereignty and independence of States " (Varda). Among

other issues the organization has a mandate to focus on

strengthening the political dialogue, social and human

development, eradication of illiteracy, energy integration ,

infrastructure development for regional interconnection ,

protection of biodiversity and cooperation migration among

many other topics.

Despite the diverging political agendas of the region’s

governments, the leaders agreed on prioritizing the group’s

role as a geopolitical actor or, in the words of the

declaration, pursuing “concerted and coordinated political


and diplomatic efforts that will strengthen the region as a

differentiated and dynamic factor in its foreign relations”

(Main A., 2010). So far, UNASUR has served mainly as a public

forum for leaders from member states. Although UNASUR

countries have made a number of ambitious proposals for

regional integration, some observers say that the group has

not yet successfully converted projections into

projects. João Augusto de Castro Neves, a Brazil analyst at

the Eurasia Group, said that in the short term UNASUR’s

institutionalization “will be very slow and incremental” but

that the group will “remain a forum for dialogue in the

foreseeable future” (Flannery, 2012).

Another problem is the group’s ability to cooperate is

affected by the disproportionate size of Brazil’s economy,

which accounts for about 60 percent of UNASUR’s total

economic output. World Bank data shows that Brazil, the

country with the strongest internal market in Latin America,

is also the least trade-dependent economy in UNASUR. In 2011,

Brazil’s exports accounted for less than 12 percent of GDP,

less than half of the average rate of the Spanish-speaking


countries in South America (Flannery, 2012). However they

have succeeded with some projects:

1. Defense Cooperation

Is the most noteworthy aspect of any cooperative

security architecture. It is particularly important

in South America given the vastness of area, high

demand for regional resources, huge population and

multiple security challenges. In order to create a

regional military doctrine and develop common

mechanisms form transparency in defense policy and

spending, UNASUR created a think-tank called Center

for Strategic Defense Studies (CEED) (Tulchin, 2012).

These measures indicate that security in defense

matters was provided the highest priority in South

American integration with increased mutual trust.

2. Crime and Security

Crime is a major security challenge for South America

as the region is vulnerable to local as well as

transnational criminal activities flowing from


illegal drug trafficking, illegal arms trade and

human trafficking across borders) (Tulchin , 2012).

3. Democratic Stability

In the past, South America was mostly ruled by

military and undemocratic regimes which denied

political education and rights to a majority of their

citizens. This affected the development of a healthy

political culture. Therefore, democracy as a

political system was given special importance in the

current integration process. UNASUR has devised a

response mechanism using which it has intervened in

member countries on a number of occasions to prevent

non-democratic attempts at overthrowing democracy

(Tulchin, 2012). The measures indicate that there is

a strong commitment towards strengthening democratic

regimes and institutions in South America.

4. Economic Security

Security is viewed from the economic perspective as

well to include the movement of goods, people and


currency across borders in a free and secure

environment. That is why it is argued that

integration in any region cannot be complete without

linking economic systems of the member countries. As

a result, UNASUR is promoting a broader agenda of

financial and economic integration in South America.

In this regard, Venezuela suggested the creation of

an exclusive “Bank of the South” for the region to

prevent “South American de-capitalization” by

harmonizing accounts of the member countries to

promote simplified and uniform trade practices, and

creating an emergency fund to balance fluctuations in

the monetary system. At the same time, the bank

would finance various developmental projects in

member countries (Tulchin, 2012).

5. Energy Security

Energy is a crucial sector of South America because

of ever-increasing demand and corresponding


instability in oil markets. It was further agreed to

assess the possibility of creating an Investigations’

Institute of UNASUR, as a common platform for sharing

of knowledge in matters related to energy, to enhance

technological training and development of the region

(Tulchin, 2012).

UNASUR was successful in addressing various security

challenges efficiently when compared with other former

institutions of the region. However, there are certain

issues, which UNASUR needs to address in order to be a

relevant body for South American integration in the 21st

century. One of the major challenges that has tested the

credibility of UNASUR is the conflicting strategic interests

Some of what the states aims are presented in the next list.

Creating a single market Sometimes countries add a

charge called a tariff when they are trading goods with


other countries. UNASUR wants to get rid of all these

tariffs by 2019 and this will make it easy and cheaper

for South American countries to import and export their

products to each other ("Foreign ministers of," 2012).

Free movement of people It is now easier for people to

travel and work between different countries in South

America. One agreement recently signed by UNASUR means

that people can go on holiday to different member

countries without having to get a visa. This saves

people time and money and means that people can move

about more freely ("Foreign ministers of," 2012).

The South American Bank Most members of UNASUR have

agreed to finance a joint bank that will give money to

development projects across the continent. At the moment

there is US$7 billion in the bank, which will be used to

improve South American societies ("Foreign ministers

of," 2012).


The Inter-oceanic Highway The member countries are

working closely together to develop their

infrastructure. One way they are doing this is to build

road links so people and goods can move between them

more easily. The project started in 2004 and has not

finished yet. It will make it easier for Pacific

countries like Chile and Peru to reach Atlantic

countries like Brazil and Argentina. Brazilian exporters

will benefit from easier access to Pacific ports in Peru

and the transport costs will be lower ("Foreign

ministers of," 2012).

The South American Energy Ring This project hopes to

improve energy supplies to some member countries in the

future. The plan is to build a gas pipeline that will

get natural gas from several sources to Argentina,

Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay ("Foreign ministers

of," 2012)


Relation Between the Members State

In order to the states to work peacefully there must be

a balance of what they want and need. So there is a need for

serious thinking about the foundation for integration, how

they would deal with their differences.

There are three basic elements in the building of long-

term integration among the states of UNASUR. The first is to

focus on shared values and concepts of strategic security.

This requires clear judgment with existing communities of

nations. Most of the basic values shared already among the

UNASUR states are values shared by the wider global

community. That means that UNASUR carries the starting

premise that its community will share values with the wider

world community (Tulchin, 2012). The second element that will

affect the future of UNASUR will depend on the success of its

leaders in creating a coalition for foreign policy for the

region within the region and for the region outside the

region .The community’s foreign policy can be independent or

autonomous and be effective, either at the regional or at


the international level, so long as it does not set as a goal

of that policy to undermine the interests of any member nor

deliberately (again, as a goal of that policy, not because of

the content of the policy) (Tulchin, 2012). To accomplish

this will require serious examination of how the community

might fit into the global community and what role UNASUR

might or can play in that broader community. Thinking about

the unthinkable is crucial. The third element in long term

planning or in thinking big is to take into account the

current strategic goals of the principal countries of the

community.

That is why since its establishment, UNASUR has achieved

remarkable progress in different areas of cooperation like

security and defense, democratic stability, energy and

financial integration, and institution building. It was also

successful in restoring strained ties between Colombia and

Venezuela, upholding the sovereign rights of Ecuador against

interference by the United Kingdom and monitoring the

democratic process in member countries such as Guyana and

Venezuela (Pothuraju, 2012). As it achieves many things, it


deals with new challenges. One of the major challenges that

have tested the credibility of UNASUR is the conflicting

strategic interests Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Argentina and

Venezuela. These clashes of interests have undermined the

level of cooperation and integration in the region.

Therefore, the Union needs to devise methods for

accommodating these conflicting interests in a mutually

beneficial manner in order to prevent tensions. This can be

achieved by emphasizing upon shared values, cultural ties and

security linkages (Flannery, 2012). Another challenge for

UNASUR is the lack of sufficient infrastructure to help

improve communication and connectivity in the region.

However, when UNASUR was formed, it was conceived that

instead of creating duplicate infrastructure, existing

infrastructure would be utilized to perform various tasks of

the union. Nevertheless, in reality, inadequate

infrastructure has compelled the union to underperform its

responsibilities. Other challenges for UNASUR include

reducing the prevalent high levels of poverty in South

America by productively using natural resources like oil,


water, mineral and agricultural resources. There is also a

need to expand internal markets in member countries so that

regional trade is improved and economic complementarities are

achieved. To address these issues collectively, it is

necessary to build confidence among member nations by

avoiding political or strategic controversies.

What the States Members Get for Belong to UNASUR

UNASUR started out as a political endeavor based on regional,

instead of national, interests, and much of its earlier

momentum was driven by rejection of earlier “neoliberal”

attempts at regional integration and of the role of the

United States in the region. Members’ new focus is clearly

state centric and political, as regional market and trade

issues have been superseded by a new agenda focusing on

infrastructure and communications development, energy and

security agreements, global financial impact and

environmental concerns. (Serbin, 2013) The absence of new


leadership to move forward a regional agenda poses a series

of challenges to this process.

What expect from UNASUR countries, or at least fight for it.

Since these countries form a community where, shares the

story, many want to increase the potential for each region to

meet common challenges, strengthen their bargaining power, as

well as the consolidation of a South American identity based

on shared values such as democracy, solidarity, human rights,

freedom, social justice, respect for territorial integrity

and diversity, non-discrimination and assertion of autonomy,

sovereign equality of states and the peaceful settlement of

disputes (Reiguero, 2012).

DISPOSITIONS

The year 2011 has been a witness of the progressive

consolidation of UNASUR, as a body of regional leadership

integration, through the ratification and the entry in force

of its constitutive treaty, signed in May 2008 in Brasilia.

This way, its twelve members have established the basis to


construct, in a participatory and consensual way, a space of

dialogue with the purpose to strengthen the integration in

areas as culture, society, economy, politics and

infrastructure in South America, to jointly face the

challenges of development, socioeconomic equity, social

inclusion, citizen’s participation, and the strengthening of

democracy. The public policies, the private sector efficiency

in performance and participation of the citizens assumes

crucial roles in the search for great objective of the

nations that aim to an economic development, equality, and

the welfare of society. In this sense, the challenge of the

policies is to find a long term strategy that projects the

synergies of the economic dynamism of the model of

production, with the principle of sustainability and equity,

leaning and mutually reinforcing in a virtuous dialectic.

This is, to work in frame where the consciousness that “we

must grow to match, as we must match to grow” should prevail.

(Sanchez and Tomassian, 2011)

“In this frame, to stay in the way of a integrating, sustainable, and

equalitarian development, it is essential consider the virtuous effects of the


development of infrastructure and its utilities as indispensables tools to

achieve the great objectives of the nations that have been appointed.

Highlight the positive relation between socioeconomical development and

infrastructure and its services, even if at his instances it could be obvious, it

has as purpose insist in the priorization of such consideration in the design

and execution of development strategies, since without infrastructure or

without it associated services there is no economical or social development

possible.”(Sanchez and Tomassian, 2011)

According to what was stated in the extraordinary

meeting of member of UNASUR in Mendoza, Argentina in 2012,

recalling the crucial role of UNASUR to counteract the

attempts against democracy; as to promote the preservation

the democratic institutionalism, the rule of law, the

constitutional order, and the social peace of our nations.

But, not all the nations have had a smooth situation

with UNASUR. Ecuador has been having problems with the

integration to UNASUR, as it was accepted by the president

itself, Rafael Correa. In an interview1, taken from an online

1 Published in the online newspaper “lainformacion.com”, November 10th, 2013


newspaper, the president Correa credit this issue to the

“lack of attention” from the Ecuadorian part, referring to

the organization, and to the “back luck” of the dead of the

ex-president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, and the delicate

medical condition of his Argentinean homologous, Cristina

Fernandez de Kirchner, according to him, two of the principal

promoters of UNASUR.

COMMUNICATES AND RESOLUTIONS

UNASUR has published2, at least in its official website,

twenty-five communicates and/or resolutions in line whit its

<http://noticias.lainformacion.com/mundo/correa-reconoce-que-la-integracion-de-ecuador-en-la-unasur-se-ha-ralentizado_nkGleY8zHaw2zRXXLmqvN2/>2 All the declaration made by UNASUR mention in this paper, could be foundin <http://www.unasursg.org/inicio/centro-de-noticias/comunicados>


objectives and dispositions towards the resent and currents

events, not only in South America, but also major events that

had affect significantly some friendly countries and other

events that had worldwide resonance for its magnitude. Here

we presented the pronunciations (take not that are the full

documents but summaries of them):

“Rio de Janeiro, Headquarter of the Olympic Games” (“Rio

de Janeiro sede de Juegos Olimpicos”). Which is basically a

letter from UNASUR to the federation of Brazil, whit

congratulations for been selected as headquarter of the

Olympic Games; making emphasis that it was possible

thanks to the hard work and that they all, South-

American countries members of UNASUR, feel proud to be

their fellows towards the progress.

“Rescue in Chile” (“Rescate en Chile”). Here UNASUR, as well,

congratulate the people of Chile for their feat against

men captured in the mines, back in 2010. And, UNASUR did

not miss the chance to advocate for its objectives: “The


drama of a handful of men today is the joy of all South America.”, as it

was said in the communicate itself.

“United Kingdom activities in the Malvinas Islands”

(“Actividades militares de Reino Unido en las Malvinas”). UNASUR back

up Argentina in its struggle against the United Kingdom,

but the core message cannot be said better than the

declaration itself:

“The State members of UNASUR… reject the realization of such

exercises that totally contrast the policies of the region towards the

seek of solutions ONLY through pacific meanings of the controversy

of conformity with the calls to the international community and what

it was disposed by the resolution 31/49 of the General Assembly of

the UN, that call both parties to abstain themselves from adopting

decision that involve the introduction of unilateral modifications in

the situation, while the Isles are crossing the recommended process

by the General Assembly”


Constituent Referendum in Bolivia, 2009 (“Referéndum

Constituyente 2009 en Bolivia”). UNASUR basically honor, with

presence, the event happened in Bolivia, but did not,

actually, have nothing relevant for the process and

mission of UNASUR, beyond that strength the political

and social comprise towards UNASUR and its acceptance,

in the other side, of Bolivia.

“Backup to democracy in Honduras” (“Respaldo a la democracia

en Honduras”). The member of UNASUR condemn the coup

d’état, as well as they support the declarations made by

the UN, the OEA, MERCOSUR, CAN and other international

instances. They reassure that “no convocation to

elections from the facto government” would be

recognized.

“Condemnation on violent swoop in Colombia” (“Condena

arremetida violenta en Colombia”). The Secretary General of

UNASUR, Maria Emma Mejia, showed her energetic rejection

to the acts of terrorism committed by insurgent forces.


“Approbation of referendum in Venezuela” (“referendo

aprobatorio Venezuela”). As well as in the case Bolivia,

UNASUR simply congratulate the process in Venezuela, but

in this case, it was confirmed, after Bolivia, that

UNASUR it is not as interested in the progress of the

government of its members as it is in the consolidation

of South America as a more solid region; which was,

since the beginning, one of the objectives of UNASUR,

but it was not presented, presumably, as a blind

organization towards integrations as it was after this

two declaration of Bolivia and Venezuela

“UNASUR pronouncing about the situation in the Corean

Peninsula” (“Pronunciamiento UNASUR situación Península Corea”).

Once again, UNASUR express its feeling of peace, as it

did in the proclamation about the Malvinas Islands, but

this time demanding a fulfillment of the pertinent

resolutions made by the Security Council of the UN, whit


the objective of create the necessary conditions to go

back the dialogue in the peninsula. And, it expressed

its disposition to collaborate in the international

efforts towards the peace talk.

“Eloy Alfaro Communicate” (“Comunicado Eloy Alfaro 27 Enero

2012-14”). UNASUR remark the figure of Alfaro as one of

the few convinced that the Latin American integration

was the only way to consolidate one sovereign regional

policy. In this communicate it is said that Alfaro give

away his life for a legacy of progress and

transformation under the liberal principles of equity

and fraternity.

“Japan earthquake pronunciation” (“Pronunciamiento por el

terremoto en Japón”). The Council of Ministers of Foreign

Affairs of UNASUR expressed their solidarity and

willingness to cooperate with the people and government

of Japan, and with all the other countries that saw


themselves affected by the tragedy of the earthquake.

And, this council also resolved to follow the possible

effects of this phenomenon, whit the purpose of supply

the solitary required.

“Air Comet Bankruptcy” (“Quiebra Air Comet”). In instance of

the Government of Ecuador, the countries member of

UNASUR, facing the bankruptcy of the Spanish company,

Air Comet, lamented the situation and prejudgment suffer

by people of many countries of the region, particularly

of Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Therefore,

UNASUR required the Spanish government to take the

correspondent measures, within its judiciary order, to

find immediate remedy and avoid future similar

situations.

“Working for Peace ratification” (“Ratificación de trabajar por

la Paz”). The President Pro Tempore of UNASUR, and the

formal president of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, facing the


delicate situation that members were passing through and

invoking the Constitutive Treaty, made a fervent call

for the plane decision declare by South America as Zone

of Peace.

“Constitutional Plebiscite in Ecuador” (“Plebiscito

Constitucional realizado en Ecuador”). UNASUR grats the people

of Ecuador for the approval of the referendum of the new

Political Constitution. Which, UNASUR note with

satisfaction to be practice whit great participation of

the people.

“Haiti earthquake” (“Terremoto en Haiti”). Nations members of

UNASUR, toward the devastating earthquake in Haiti,

joins the convocation to the international community for

seek of response and humanitarian assistance, in such a

serious and painful situation.


“European Union Migration Directive” (“Directiva Unión

Europea Migración”). Starting the point about peace and

human rights related to UNASUR, this enouncement was in

response of the approval, from the Council of Ministries

of the European Union, of the “Proposal of Directive to

sanction employers of irregular immigrants”. In line to

avoid, in the actual scenario of economic-financially

crisis, this Directive to put in more vulnerability the

citizens of the countries members of UNASUR, that are in

irregular situation, in EU, the UNASUR expressed its

concern toward the directive and is possible impact in

the rights of the citizens before mentioned. It exhorted

the nations members of the UE to review the proposal and

to consider the diverse international documents that

sums up the human rights, especially those directed to

immigrants. And, UNASUR invited the leaders of the UE to

have a comprehensive dialogue, as was agreed in the

American Latina and the Caribbean – European Union

Summit.


“Coup d’état in Honduras, Chile” (“Chile golpe estado

Honduras”). The president Pro Tempore of UNASUR rejected

vigorously the intention of Coup d’état in Honduras.

Then it proceeds to establish the same as the previous

resolution, but it also advocate to the resolution of

conflict by peace; as it has established in the previous

communications.

“ June 22th, 2012 Asuncion communicate” (“Comunicado

Asunción Junio 22, 2012”).

“Surinam ratifies UNASUR constitutive treaty” (“Surinam

ratifica tratado Constitutivo UNASUR”)

“Host of Ecuadorian proposal of ITT” (“Acoge propuesta

ecuatoriana del ITT”)

“Backup to Democracy in Ecuador” (“Respaldo a la democracia en

Ecuador”)

“Chancellors set Quito Declaration” ( “Cancilleres dejan lista

declaración de Quito”)


“N26 2012 Decision on June 29th, Extraordinary Meeting

in Mendoza, Argentina” (“Decisión N26 2012 Reunión

Extraordinaria Mendoza Junio 29 2012”)

“Backup to Democracy in Ecuador, one year anniversary of

30-S” (“Respaldo a la Democracia en el Ecuador a un año del 30-S”)

“Communicate to the Philippines in English (and

Spanish)” (“Comunicado Filipinas Español (e Ingles)”)

CONCLUSION


As this paper has shown, UNASUR is greatly influence by

the pluralist, because as the theory say, there should be

diverse and competing centers of power, so that there is a

marketplace for ideas. Inside UNASUR there is no a certain

leader, but groups that has more influence, even though they

all seem to seek the same goal, the integration of South

America. As we describe the background, history and structure

of it, we get to realize that the lines of conflict inside it

are multiple and shifting as power is a continuous bargaining

process between competing groups, BUT, power does not blind

the interest of the members in UNASUR, it seems to be a

healthy competition that only creates more new and fresh

ideas for the progress of it. Moreover, UNASUR seems have

less effectiveness than other organizations of the same kind,

as the UE, and still does not have the whole countries of the

region completely involve, although is not as binding as the

UE.


REFERENCES

Capriles culpa a unasur por falta de auditoría a elecciones.

(2013, July 18). INFORMADOR. Retrieved from

<http://www.informador.com.mx/internacional/2013/472722/

6/capriles-culpa-a-unasur-por-falta-de-auditoria-a-

elecciones.htm>

Chomsky, N. (2009, October). Coups, unasur, and the u.s.. Retrieved

from <http://www.zcommunications.org/coups-unasur-and-

the-u-s-by-noam-chomsky.html>

Correa reconoce que la integración de ecuador en la unasur se ha ralentizado.

(2013, November 10). Lainformacion.com. Retrieved from

<http://noticias.lainformacion.com/mundo/correa-

reconoce-que-la-integracion-de-ecuador-en-la-unasur-se-

ha-ralentizado_nkGleY8zHaw2zRXXLmqvN2/>


Filho, F. (2012). A regional arrangement proposal for the unasur .

Retrieved from

<http://www.ufrgs.br/PPGE/pcientifica/2012_10.pdf>

Flannery, N. (2012, November 30). Explainer: What is unasur?.

Retrieved from

<http://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-what-unasur>

Foreign ministers of unasur consolidate regional projects. (2012, March 19).

Retrieved from <http://cancilleria.gob.ec/foreign-

ministers-of-unasur-consolidate-regional-projects-2/>

Gill, N. (2008, May 23). Southern affairs . Retrieved from

<http://www.southernaffairs.org/2008/05/south-american-

regional-integration.html>

Kašpar, P. (2011). The logic of unasur: Its origins and institutionalization.

Retrieved from

<http://projekter.aau.dk/projekter/files/53154638/The_LO

GIC_OF_UNASUR.pdf>

La construcciÓn de la integraciÓn suramericana. (2008, Julio). Revista de

la integracion, (2), Retrieved from


<http://www.comunidadandina.org/Upload/20111024181937rev

ista_integracion_2.pdf>

Main, A. (2010, May 20). Unasur: An emerging geopolitical force.

Retrieved from

<http://www.cepr.net/index.php/blogs/cepr-blog/unasur-

emerging-geopolitical-force/>

Pothuraju, B. (2012, October 30 ). Unasur and security in south

america.

Regueiro, L. (2012). Unasur: Propuesta y proceso . Retrieved from

<http://www.fedaeps.org/IMG/pdf/Libro_UNASUR.pdf>

Sanahuja, J. (2012, august 22). Post-liberal regionalism in south

america: the case of unasur. Retrieved from

<http://www.academia.edu/1369985/Post-

liberal_regionalism_in_South_America_the_case_of_UNASUR>

Sanchez, R. J. & Tomassian, G. (2011, November 24).

Infraestructura para la integracion regional. (2011-

856), 5-7. Retrieved from

<http://www.unasursg.org/uploads/a9/b1/a9b1b66ba2e45d83c


43dca1451bba37d/CEPAL-UNASUR-Infraestructura-para-la-

Integracion-Regional.pdf>

Serbin, A. (2013, November 18). Unasur looking for leadership and

direction. Retrieved from

<http://aulablog.net/2013/11/18/unasur-looking-for-

leadership-and-direction/>

Tulchin , J. (2012). Thinking ahead on unasur. Retrieved from

<http://www.joetulchin.com/site/DEF2.pdf>

Unasur. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.isags-

unasursalud.org/interna.asp?lang=3&idArea=38

UNASUR. (2013). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from

<http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1496583/UNASU

R>

UNASUR. (2013). Official Web-Page. <http://www.unasursg.org/>


Rafael Andrade Allan Saravia


Rosa Melendez

We pledge upon our honor that we have neither give nor

receive any unauthorized assistance for this assignment.

Date post:	20-Apr-2023
Category:	Documents
Upload:	keiseruniversity
View:	0 times
Download:	0 times

Realist and Pluralist elements of UNASUR

Documents