Beyond the Ideal: Pan Americanism in Inter-American Affairs

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Envisioned before 1900 as a diplomatic and political model for cooperation among nations in the Americas, Pan Americanism has come to represent a varied set of economic, cultural, and political processes at the core of both inter-American cooperation and conflict. This collection of new essays takes Pan Americanism beyond a mere discussion of inter-American cooperation and a Cold War focus on defense and security. While the Pan American Union and, later, the Organization of American States have often been at the center of Pan American politics and diplomacy, Sheinin offers an overview of the ranging facets of Pan Americanism both inside and outside of these institutions. Themes range from a discussion of U.S. influence in the region and other diplomatic initiatives to new research in women's history and environmentalism. A broad range of scholars consider the impact of the abolition of slavery and the role of nation building in the hemisphere, as well as the ideological foundations of Pan Americanism in the United States. The concept is examined as a propaganda device, but also, through the OAS, as a means for smaller countries in the Americas to exercise a degree of diplomatic influence. Other topics include the First Conference of American States and North American plans for an economic union, Pan American feminism, the problem of wildlife preservation, and the theory and practice of inter-American literature. Finally, the book details crucial success stories of the late 20th century: the American Convention on Human Rights, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Reviews

"In this impressive set of essays on what the editor calls the friendly face of American dominance in the hemisphere, ' leading scholars of inter-American relations offer fresh and provocative multinational perspectives. Cultural and environmental aspects of Pan Americanism join strategic, economic, and political dimensions. This book is the place to start for the most up-to-date scholarship."-Thomas G. Paterson Department of History University of Connecticut
"This intriguing book should attract attention from both generalists and specialists. An absorbing overview of the ambiguous and multidimensional meanings of the term Pan Americanism, ' this volume presents probing essays by established scholars and others who are up-and-coming."-Mark T. Gilderhus Department of History Texas Christian University

Author Bio

DAVID SHEININ is Associate Professor of History at Trent University in Canada. He has published many books and articles on inter-American History including The Jewish Diaspora in Latin America (1996) and Searching for Authority: Pan Americanism, Diplomacy, and Politics in United States-Argentine Relations, 1910-1930 (1998).