Mexico and Latin America in International Relations Theory

Abstract

International Relations (IR) theory has traditionally been dominated by Anglo-American scholarship, raising questions about the extent to which other regions have contributed to the development of the discipline. This essay examines the place of Mexico and Latin America in IR theory and assesses the significance of their theoretical contributions. It argues that, despite the strong influence of the Anglo-American mainstream and the relative scarcity of internationally recognized regional theories, IR scholarship in Mexico and Latin America cannot be reduced to an imitation of dominant approaches. The essay identifies several distinctive areas of regional contribution, including the development of dependency theory and peripheral structuralism, reflections on the autonomy of the discipline, alternative approaches to the teaching and conceptualization of IR, and a legalist conception of international society grounded in sovereignty and non-intervention. It also distinguishes between theories, which seek to explain international phenomena, and foreign policy doctrines, which primarily guide political action. The analysis suggests that some Latin American contributions, particularly dependency theory and decolonial approaches, offer distinct perspectives on international relations and constitute relevant foundations for further theoretical development beyond the dominant Anglo-American tradition.