Author: Yoselyn Pina
Summer Intern
As the World Cup comes to an end after Brazil’s humiliating 7-1 defeatagainst Germany no one can deny this World Cup will be memorable. Not only
because the fans’ favorite, Brazil was eliminated, also because it put the eyes
of the world in Brazil. To be the host of the World Cup and the Olympics in
2016 represents a huge achievement to the region. Latin America has been
fighting since 1991 to create a good regional integration. In that year
Brazil entered into a partnership with Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to
create Mercosur (South America Market) with the intention of creating a trade
bloc that will open regional trade. This project sounded like a great idea in theory,
but there has been mixed results.
When Mercosur was first created, Argentina and Brazil were the pillars
that sustained the organization. Both countries were in a strong enough
economic position as to actually promote new ways of trade. As time progressed,
however, Brazil became the only pillar holding Mercosur up. Where did Mercosur struggle? A possible explanation is that the member countries were not able to
solve their internal problems while, at the same time, creating strong regional
institutions that would benefit the entire region. Argentina’s economic
problems have moved it from being a primary economic engine of Mercosur to
almost a peripheral position. It is also difficult to make partner members of
this organization work together when one of them has an inflation rate of 6.5% and the other one has 25%. Also, Argentina has walked away from free trade
promotion to focus more on protectionist measures, which the Brazilians didn’t
agree with. The addition of Venezuela also created tension within the
organization because it did not bring any economic value. It was only based on
political affiliation. In this circumstance, Brazil decided to focus on inward
rather than worrying about its other regional members. One ponders what
Mercosur could have been if the member states were able to create strong
regional institutions.
So, why are we talking about Mercosur? Regional integration is also an
important, and extremely relevant, topic in another part of the world. Africa
is one of the most complex regions in the world. But in the past few years the
region has grown tremendously. Around $80 billion dollars are expected to enter
the continent at the end of this year. In 2040, Africa will have the largest
amount of labor, surpassing China and India. Unfortunately, most of the news
that we hear from this area of the world is negative. One way experts believe
Africa can overcome its historical reputation and solve its economic woes is
through regional integration. There have been many attempts to integrate the
continent the first one and most emblematic is the African Union (AU). This
organization not only focuses on economic development but also to create a
peaceful Africa that is why it has the right to intervene in countries when
conflicts appear. But the common opinion is that just like Mercosur this
organization has failed in its mission. During the civil war in Libya the AU
was criticized for not intervening and to put a stop to the conflict. Also the
organization has received a lot of criticism about how to integrate the region
economically considering most countries still struggle with poverty. Most
people feel this organization is just an accessory. Therefore leaders have
created other organizations to achieve the goals that the African Union has not.
Examples are Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The problem that I see when creating multiple organizations is that all
of them have different agendas and may, oftentimes clash; preventing them from
achieving the goals that will improve the region. As a Latin American, regional
integration is an ideal that has not been achieved, as, unlike Europe, one big
organization with sub-organizations to control the different areas may be preferable
to the status quo. The main challenge, therefore, is to actually create a supra
national body that may succeed in achieving the goals – giving Africa a more
realistic body to emulate.
To change the idea people have of Africa is necessary to come with a
good plan that will achieve the kind of regional integration that everybody
wants. If leaders fail to prepare for every possible outcome, the entire system
will collapse with the first problem. Africa needs to overpass different
obstacles to achieve this goal. The path will be long, but with time and
dedication Africa will rise as it was always meant to.
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