Latin America and Neutralism

Abstract

Neutralism finds particularly fertile ground in the underdeveloped countries of Asia and Africa. In Latin America, neutralism is used by leftist-oriented groups as a ve hicle to alienate their countries from an alignment with the West. Sometimes, neutralism appears under the disguise of nationalism, such as the tactical nationalism of the Communists and the rightist nationalism of some dictatorial movements. In Latin America, the antineutralist forces are stronger than the neutralist ones. The former include the armed forces, the Church, the ruling classes, the moneyed classes, and the middle class. In addition, the Inter-American system has proved to be an element against neutralism. Finally, the geopolitical setting and the international orientation of Latin America make a consolidation of the traditional bonds with the West an easier solution for its political and economic problems. Instead of going neutralist, Latin America will probably attempt to con stitute a new international center of power, without breaking with the West. So a look into the future would conceivably reveal a world divided into three or four influence spheres: the West (subdivided into three subspheres, that is, the United States, Europe, and Latin America); the Marxist-Leninist bloc (subdivided into Russia and China); and the non-Marxist countries of Asia and Africa.