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SOCIOLOGICAL VIEW AND THEORY OF SUBORDINATE INTEGRATION...
11. SUBORDINATE INTEGRATION AS A NEW
DEVELOPMENT MODEL, 1990-1996
During 1990-1996, integration and the creation of “regional blocks”
became an attractive solution and instrument of highly industrialized countries
towards the improvement of their deteriorated foreign trade positions.
This reflects the notable modifications that occurred in the world economy,
after the 70s, resulting from problems such as the United States recession
of 1967 and the oil crisis of 1974, etc.
Real estimates of the success of those integration schemes (NAFTA,
Mercosur, EU, etc.) are still uncertain and speculative. Very optimistic
analysts consider “integrated free trade” or regionalization shall have a
positive effect upon the “global” economy. On the other hand, pessimistic
analysts are convinced that integration will only increase the gap between
the “rich” and “poor” countries. Other analysts feel that integration will
not make any real modifications or improve the world economy.
The years between 1990-1996 were characterized, once again, by a
replay of neo liberal development strategies. This model has caused progressive
reductions of the governmental apparatus in Latin America; that
is, the reduction of social welfare programs and public services. These
neo-liberal policies caused one of the highest rates of poverty and unemployment
ever experienced in Latin America in all of it’s contemporary
history. 54
As in the past, much evidence indicates that the giant transnational
corporations shall benefit most from present integration free trade agreements.
The present integration fad and frenzy is causing strange and contradictory
reactions throughout the Americas. For example, it seems at
times that Argentina and Brazil are not convinced about whether they
should continue collaborating together in “Mercosur” (begun in 1986), or
if they should work separately towards obtaining free trade benefits from
United States in NAFTA. 55 Accordingly, one finds incredible the fact that
14 governors of U.S. Southern States met, in July of 1992, in Charlottesville,
Virginia, with the presidents and vice presidents of all Central
American republics, in order to discuss the negative effects of NAFTA on
all of their territories. 56 Both regions fear Mexican competition for different
reasons. New investment and jobs will be created almost exclusively
54
Sánchez Otero, Germán, “Neoliberalism and it’s discontents,” Report on The
Americas, NACLA, Vol. XXVI, No. 4, New York, Feb. 1993, p. 20.
55
“Entre la urgencia y la credibilidad,” Revista del Sur, Nr. 16, Montevideo,
Uruguay, 1992, p. 19.
56
Baccheta, Victor L., “El Impacto del Merconorte,” Revista del Sur, Nr. 16,
Montevideo, Uruguay, 1992, p. 19.
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