Los estudios internacionales en América Latina: realizaciones y desafíos

Heraldo Mtlñoz I SociAL SCIENCE IN CHILE: THE INSTITUYE OF INTERNATIONAI. STlJDIF.5... approaches that bave emerged in the core mclude, for example, balance-of– power theories, conflict resolution works, decision-making models, and game theory. The cornmon denominator of these approaches is a preoccupation with questions of peace and war among nation-states. Explicitly or implicítly, a concern is expressed for the national security of advanced industriallzed countries and the stability of the international system. On the other band, theoretical perspectives tbat have originated in the periphery, 8uch as inter– national stratification and dependency theory, focus on problems of develop– ment or underdevelopment, and equality or inequality both among nation– states and classes. In tbis case the critical emphasis is on the issue of development 1 ; Research projects at the lIS reflect tbis latter concern of periphery scholars 2 • Major themes of analysis inelude: regional econotnic integration, dependency problems, New International Economic Order issues, law of the sea, north-south negotiations, natural resources, etc. Of course, more con– \1entional "center-oriented" subjects, like "balance of power in the souther cone", are also investigated, but often in the perspective of their significance for development options facing the Latin American region. A fundamental characteristic of the Institute is its Latin Americanist orientation; studies or seminars have been conducted on Andean integration, Latin America's ¡nsertion in the present world polítical economy, Latin America as a tnidd1e elass of nations, human rights in Latin Amerita, regional enetgy problems, etc. There is a particular stress on Latín America's foreign relations. In 1978, the lIS began a special research project conducted by three different study groups with the purpose of analyzing in depth the relations between Latin America and three critica} geograpbical regions. The groups refer to the relations between Latin America, the United States and Western Etlfope; the relatíons between Latín America and the Asia-Pacifie region; and the relations among Latin American countries. Each study group is composed of selected scholars from the Institute and elsewhere, includíng several foreign researchers. The project, funded by The Tinker Foundation of New York, will cultninate With the publication of three separate volumes lncorporatíng the work of each study group. An important dimension of the Institute is its graduate program leading to the Magister (M. A.) in International Studies. The programa was started in 1 See Heraldo Muñoz, "El desarrollo de los estudios internacionales como especialidad académica en América Latina: problemas metodológicos, sustantivos y contextuales, Paper presented at "Primer Panel sobre el Estado de la Disciplina de las Relaciones Internacionales de Chile y América Latina", AEMEI, Santiago, 2 June 1979. 2 More detaíled information on research topics can be found in Instituto de Estudios Internacionales de la Universidad de Chile, Afio Académico 1979 e Informe de Activida– des Correspondiente al Afio Académico 1971! (Santiago: Imprenta Libertad, 1979). 193