I'm Losing my Faith in International Organizations...

It is impossible find a compelling explanation to what is going on in Latin America in light of only liberal theories. Current events show that international institutions are subject to realist dynamics. The Organization of the American states exemplifies this.

Nowadays, liberals argue in favor of the creation of international institutions. 182 years ago, Simon Bolivar, one of the most important leaders in Latin Americas’ struggle for independence, argued for the same. In 1826 he proposed creating a league of American republics with a supranational parliament. However, this idea was not successful. Gran Colombia, which comprised Ecuador, Colombia, Panama and Venezuela, split due to internal political strife within each region.

The latent idea of creating a supranational organization in Latin America led to the creation of the International Union of American Republics. In 1948 the Ninth International Conference was held in Bogota, Colombia. The result was a pledge to fight communism and the creation of the Organization of the American States. The OAS aims at strengthening peace and security and cooperation, promoting democracy and seeking solutions for any political, judicial and economic problems that might arise between its members. This organization is not fulfilling its goals.
A crisis between Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela broke out in March. Many experts argue this crisis did not escalate due to the intervention of the region’s governments during the Rio Group meeting in the Dominican Republic. International institutions succeeded, many said.

I believe this crisis demonstrates that international organizations mask realist behaviors. Ecuador appealed to the OAS, expecting it to take measures against Colombia for its violation of Ecuadorian sovereignty. However, the OAS acknowledged but did not condemn this violation. No sanctions were imposed on Colombia. Naturally, neither Ecuador nor its allies in this crisis -Venezuela and Nicaragua- were satisfied. The OAS became an instrument to balance Chavez and his allies. The United States attempts to counterbalance Chavez’s leftist influence in the region through Colombia, its only strong ally.

International institutions are useful as they help sates accomplish their own goals. Although the OAS is often manipulated to balance and counterbalance states, it at least provided the framework within which the conflict was temporarily solved. It wasn’t because of idealistic liberal conceptions; the conflict was solved because it was in these countries interest to do so. What role do international organizations such as the OAS play? They simply provide the setting.