The international politics of a new Latino America: the foreign policy preferences of Latinos and the national interest

Valeriano, B. (2007) The international politics of a new Latino America: the foreign policy preferences of Latinos and the national interest. Journal of Latino-Latin American Studies, 2(3), pp. 23-45.

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Abstract

As the culture and society of the United States is being transformed with an influx of Latino immigration and the entrenchment of traditional Latin American migration sources, we are left with many unanswered questions regarding the course of American Politics. Foremost among them, and neglected to this point, are the impacts of a greater Latino population on America's external foreign relations. Samuel Huntington (2004) holds that the proliferation of Latinos will degrade the traditional national interest of America and thus harm the state's national security. The realities of Latino preferences have been completely unexplored and we have been left with snap judgments about the complex preference formations among the Latino population. It is important that we understand Latino preferences as a whole; especially in light of the Bush Doctrine, which shapes American military commitments after 9/11. What preferences does the Latino population hold for U.S. combat operations? Do Latinos express the traditional foreign policy preferences of other American groups or is a new multicultural path emerging? The final important question regards what impact the Bush Doctrine will have on Latin American-U.S. relations. This article finds strong Latino support for typical U.S. foreign policies and high levels of patriotism exhibited by the population, suggesting that Latinos will support the national interest of the United States. There is nothing to fear because, as I argue, Latinos support the national security goals of the United States of America.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Valeriano, Dr Brandon
Authors: Valeriano, B.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
Journal Name:Journal of Latino-Latin American Studies
ISSN:1549-9502

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