Liberals and the OAS February 7, 2008

In terms of international theory, we believe that the realist school pertains most to our focus on the Organization of American States (OAS).  Originally founded as the Pan American Union, the OAS was modified in April of 1948 and adopted the world’s first treatise of human rights, the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man.  According to their charter, the OAS aims to “to achieve an order of peace and justice, to promote their solidarity, to strengthen their collaboration, and to defend their sovereignty, their territorial integrity, and their independence.”  We feel that the liberal emphasis on intergovernmental cooperation and general concern for human rights, are at the center of the OAS’s mission. One of the main tenets of the liberal level of analysis is the “connectivity” and dependency of all the world’s nations.  Dedicated to achieving political and individual security, liberals would most likely laud the OAS for its purposes and beliefs.  Also, the liberal view of an international “society” of states perfectly applies to the OAS as it is an assembly of states.  Essentially, the OAS represents the liberal faith in the ability of countries to help each other. As we’ve learned in class, the optimistic liberals do not think of international relations as a “one shot game.”  It is safe to say that intergovernmental organizations, such as the OAS, serve as mediators of potentially chaotic or detrimental situations.  Take for example a current conflict between OAS member states Colombia and Ecuador.  Claiming that the aerial irrigation methods of their neighbor are destroying their own crops, Ecuador has formally summoned Colombia to the OAS.  Although the issue has yet to be resolved, the OAS “has mechanisms to settle disputes between member states.”  (BBC)  The ability and desire of the OAS to work for collective improvement of its member states are perfect reflections of liberal cooperation.   

        Although this video is in Spanish, we found it to be a useful example of an OAS debate.  In this particular clip, Condoleezza Rice first expresses the United State’s wish of a higher democratic influence in Venezuela.  She stresses that democracy should always be a major part of the OAS agenda.  She goes on to discuss the importance of human rights as a part of democracy, including the suggestion that Venezuela should exercise more freedom of press.  In a heated reply, the representative from Venezuela argues that the citizens of the United States receive more censored news than they think and that if she wants to discuss the issue of human rights, she should first consider the United State’s actions in Guantanamo, Cuba.  Finally, he concludes that the United States should respect its fellow OAS members in the same manner in which they wish to be treated, preferably sooner than later. 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGqGp-7WUCQ “Ecuador-Colombia row taken to OAS.”  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6248033.stm