Reviews
American Crossings intelligently considers why Latin America is a region substantially at peace with itself.
An original, straightforward analysis of the various functions that borders play, this book is a theoretically fascinating treatment of a significant subject.
American Crossings provides a fascinating account of the politics and economics of borders in the Western Hemisphere. Borders are no longer simple territorial lines to defend militarily, but viewed as sites for a peculiar mix of conflict and cooperation, enhanced vigilance and openness, and licit and illicit transactions. Written in an accessible style, this book should have broad appeal to Latin Americanists, IR specialists, and all those interested in the enduring role territorial boundaries play in shaping the behavior of states and non-state actors alike.
This is a rich and eclectic collection of essays that speak to themes of geopolitics, border security policies, and illicit activities in border regions of the Americas. If you think globalization has straightforward consequences on the ground, these essays will cause you to think again. Peaceful illicit transactions, new barriers among liberalizing states, political conflict but increasing transborder trade are all counterintuitive outcomes explored in these pages. The editors have encouraged the authors to explore a rich range of topics and the result is an intriguing set of essays tied together by themes of globalization, territoriality and borders regions. A stimulating read!
Book Details
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Borders in the Americas: Theories and Realities
Part I: Geopolitics of Borders
Chapter 2. Borders, Rivalries, and the Racketeer State: An Alternative Theory to State
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1. Borders in the Americas: Theories and Realities
Part I: Geopolitics of Borders
Chapter 2. Borders, Rivalries, and the Racketeer State: An Alternative Theory to State Development in Latin America
Chapter 3. Legalizing and Judicializing Territorial and Maritime Border Disputes in Latin America: Causes and Unintended Consequences
Chapter 4. Political Learning Through a Transgovernmental Network: Resolving the Argentine-Chilean Border Dispute During the 1990s
Part II: National Policies for Border Security and Cross-Border Trade
Chapter 5. Regional Peace and Unintended Consequences: The Peculiar
Case of the Tri-Border Area of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay
Chapter 6. Rivalry, Trade, and Restraint on the Colombia-Venezuela Border
Chapter 7. Northbound "Threats" at the United States–Mexico Border: What Is Crossing Today, and Why?
Part III: Licit and Illicit Behavior by Borderland Actors
Chapter 8. Illicit Americas: Historical Dynamics of Smuggling in the United States' Relations with Its Neighbors
Chapter 9. The Colombian FARC in Northern Ecuador: Borderline and Borderland Dynamics
Chapter 10. Making Sense of Borders: Global Circulations and the Rule of Law at the Iguazú Triangle
Chapter 11. Conclusions
List of Contributors
Index