ABSTRACT

This volume is the first English-language work to focus specifically on South America in the context of peace operations.

The region of South America has been undergoing significant changes recently with regard to its attitudes towards participation in peace operations. Leaving behind a strong reluctance with regard to intervention, the states have recently taken on a much stronger presence among UN peacekeepers. The foremost showcase of this more robust and responsible stance has been MINUSTAH, the current UN mission in Haiti. South American contributors provide over half the operation’s troops, and the Force Commander is provided by Brazil.

This book is intended as an introduction for researchers to the nexus of issues surrounding South America’s increasing influence as a contributor to peace operations. The authors provide the reader with a historically and theoretically grounded understanding of what motivates defence policy and decisions on intervention in the region. Featuring contributions from prominent thinkers in the field and a broad range of case studies, this volume successfully combines practical applicability with diversity of analysis.

This book will be of much interest to students of peacekeeping, South American politics, peace and conflict studies, security studies and International Relations in general.

chapter |22 pages

Introduction

Diversity within a common culture: South America and peace operations

part |59 pages

Analytical and conceptual underpinnings

part |120 pages

Country case studies

chapter |26 pages

Out of South America to the globe

Brazil's growing stake in peace operations

chapter |21 pages

Punching above its weight

Uruguay and UN peace operations

chapter |19 pages

From fear to humanitarianism

Changing patterns in Argentina's involvement in peace operations

chapter |18 pages

Learning to be likeminded

Chile's involvement in global security and peace operations since the end of the Cold War

chapter |19 pages

Swimming against the tide

Venezuela and peace operations

chapter |15 pages

Conclusions

Securing South America's peace operations acquis post-MINUSTAH