US Hegemony and Latin American Regional Security : The United States’ hegemony in the Organisation of American States (OAS) : Implications for Latin American Regional Security

Abstract

United States of America (US) hegemony has been a topic of scholarly discussion for long. Regarding US hegemony within the Organisation of American States (OAS), and Latin America by extension, the OAS institutional and budgetary reforms submitted with the Revitalisation and Reform Act of 2013 had signified a trajectory towards a declining hegemony. This study explores the implications of OAS budgetary reforms on inter-American security architecture. This research uses theoretical assumptions of regime and hegemonic theory to construct hypotheses assessing the changes that could happen with a potential declining influence of the US. Findings showed that the OAS member states have been free riding on the US’s funds to operate the region’s security agenda and strategy. This must change. Increased autonomy, cooperation, and financial contribution from the Latin American member states would decrease the efficacy of the US conditionality—a tool the hegemon currently uses to shape inter-American security and peace policies to US interests. The US should change its strategy in Latin America going forward.