NAFTA/FTAA and the New Articulation in the Americas: ‘Re-colonization’ or Structural Opportunity?

Abstract

The NAFTA/FTAA process was said earlier to carry in its wake a transformative dialectic for countries that make up the Americas. A hemispheric-wide free trade area opens up possibilities for trade expansion and investment; internal restructuring; and deeper forms of regional (political-economic) collaboration. This chapter seeks to expand upon this view by looking more squarely at the NAFTA/ FTAA process and its current impact on member-states. Although caution is required when examining still unfolding scenarios, the Americas’ sphere is too important for analysis to wait on events. In any case, there is sufficient evidence, both ‘on the ground’ and within the Agreements,¹ to refute the contention that the reconfiguring Americas redounds to the singular benefit of the regional hegemon (USA) alone. One of my purposes in writing this chapter is to offer an alternative to some of the excessive neophilia of the last few years. The desire to follow the trend is always a strong one among academics and social commentators alike, and this is nowhere in clearer evidence than on the question of NAFTA/FTAA and the prospects for the Caribbean sub-region. Excessive optimism or pessimism prevails with little room for nuance and sober reflection.