Power and Principle: A New US Policy for Latin America
Peter M. Sanchez, Megan A. Sholar

Abstract
Realists have tended to under-theorize state behaviour in a hegemonic system. A hegemonic power arrangement lies between absolute anarchy and hierarchy, and thus produces some degree of order and stability. Under such a system, legitimacy becomes much more relevant since subordinate states expect the hegemon to provide collective goods. Now that Latin America has embraced democracy and capitalism, the United States has finally achieved hegemony in the western hemisphere. Consequently, the United States must develop a new, more principled foreign policy toward Latin America—a policy that yields security, prosperity, and democracy for all states in the system. Moving beyond criticism, we propose several concrete changes to US policy that would enhance America’s image and leadership in Latin America.

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