The Americas
Understand the factors driving policy making across the Western Hemisphere—Latin American, Caribbean and North America.
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Understand the factors driving policy making across the Western Hemisphere—Latin American, Caribbean and North America.
Gain in-depth knowledge on The Americas as global players while simultaneously developing functional expertise through a policy-oriented curriculum that integrates a practical approach to learning.
The United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) replaced NAFTA after 25 years. This course will engage with a detailed examination of the text and spirit of the USMCA
Students will examine how USMCA will affect political and economic relations among the three countries before considering the next steps necessary to create and govern a single continental market in North America.
Covers the basic interpretive frameworks that have been employed to analyze political change in Latin America, from the original debates between modernization
and dependency theory through the rise of authoritarian regimes to the more recent studies on democratic transitions, neoliberal politics and economics and the consolidation of democratic regimes. Required introductory course for all LASP students.
As economic protectionism, nationalism and rising authoritarianism roil domestic and international politics, this seminar will explore how the changing global landscape is creating challenges and opportunities for Latin America.
Topics will include the region's efforts to seize trade opportunities in the Pacific, including Chile's unsung role in resurrecting the Trans-Pacific Partnership following the US withdrawal, and the widening ambitions of the Pacific Alliance; Mercosur's bet on a free trade agreement with the European Union; the opportunities and risks of Chinese investment, as the United States aggressively discourages the region from over-dependence on Beijing; the role of Russia, including in arms sales and energy investment; and the region's position as a natural resources juggernaut, from unconventional oil and gas in Argentina to the lithium triangle (Argentina, Bolivia and Chile) that accounts for more than half of the world's supply of the key ingredient in batteries for mobile phones and electric cars.
Analyzes the political economy of energy conflict and cooperation in the Americas by function and in terms of major players.
The functional component covers the politics of oil, natural gas issues, biofuels, energy infrastructure, energy organization and regulation, private and public sector participation, geopolitics and other energy topics. The major players component includes the politics of energy in Canada, Mexico, the United States, the Andean countries, Brazil, the Southern Cone and Venezuela, and also offers a global perspective on the impact of the world’s major energy producers and consumers (i.e. China, India, the Middle East countries and Russia) on the Americas. (This is a cross-listed course offered by the Latin American Studies Program that also can fulfill a requirement for the Energy, Resources & Environment Program).
Study with world-class experts who are renowned for their scholarship, influence, and networks.
Senior Research Professor, Director of the Center for Canadian Studies, Acting Director of the Latin American Studies Program
Associate Professor of International Political Economy and Latin American Politics
Andrew W. Mellon Professor of International Relations, Director of Global Theory and History Program with responsibility for General IR, Director of International Economy Program, Director of Canadian Studies Program
Benjamin Gedan quoted in Wall Street Journal, 01/18
Vali Nasr quoted in Associated Press, 01/18
Thomas Rid interviewed on Sky News’ Into the Grey Zone podcast, 01/18
Thomas Rid interviewed on Irregular Warfare podcast, 01/16
Johannes Urpelainen interviewed in Energi Media, 1/16
Sanam Vakil quoted in The Independent, 01/15