Turning the Tables: State and Society in South America's Economic Integration

Abstract

This article analyzes the politics of South American economic integration by considering the recent dynamics of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). It focuses on the three most important countries in that process: Argentina, Brazil, and Chile. It demonstrates that contrary to received wisdom about the strength of states and societies in these three countries, the Mercosur process illustrates surprising strength on the part of states in Argentina and Brazil, and surprising strength of civil society in the Chilean case. To demonstrate this argument, it analyzes two key aspects of the integration process: the initiation of the common market project by Argentina and Brazil, and the decision by Chile to join Mercosur as an associate member.