China-Latin American economic and diplomatic relations under the Monroe Doctrine an offensive realism perspective : case studies of Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela
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Keywords
Economic relations ; Diplomatic relations ; China-Latin American relations ; Monroe Doctrine ; Offensive realismAbstract
Contemporary trade, international partnerships and cooperation play a pivotal role in outlining countries’ development and productivity, particularly under the influence of major economic and military powers. While ties between China and countries in Latin America and the Caribbean regions have grown steadily over the past decade, limited research has assessed whether these engagements complement or challenge the U.S. key zone of operation. Therefore, this thesis aimed to address this gap by fulfilling four main objectives, and by systematically responding to a set of key research questions.
Across eight Chapters, built upon newly published scientific literature, this thesis examined whether China’s expanding economic and diplomatic engagement in Latin America constitutes a substantive challenge to the Monroe Doctrine and, more broadly, to long-standing U.S. regional dominance. The foundational origin of this thesis focusses on the theoretical framework of Offensive Realism. The analysis combined an extensive literature review with original empirical evidence derived from government data and multinational enterprise records. Five country case studies, encompassing Mexico, Panama, Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela, are used to assess how domestic political economy conditions and geopolitical constraints model the strategic implications of China’s regional presence.
Key findings suggested that China’s engagement represents a gradual and structural challenge rather than a direct or formal violation of the Monroe Doctrine. Beijing has relied on economic statecraft, infrastructure investment, technological cooperation and elite diplomacy to embed itself within Latin America’s institutional and economic structures, avoiding military coercion while redesigning the regional strategic environment. The effects of this engagement are conditional and context-dependent. For example, Mexico’s deep economic integration with the United States (U.S.) constrains Chinese influence, while Panama’s strategic geography enables Chinese investment in logistics and infrastructure. Brazil demonstrates the capacity of a major regional power to leverage economic interdependence while preserving autonomy, whereas Argentina illustrates how economic vulnerability can amplify external leverage.
The analysis further suggests that the Monroe Doctrine persists less as an operational policy than as a symbolic framework guiding U.S. strategic perceptions. China’s expanding role challenges the doctrine’s underlying assumption of evident U.S. primacy without triggering direct confrontation. Overall, the study argues that Latin America is increasingly characterized by contested influence rather than hegemonic replacement, reflecting broader transformations in global power competition in the twenty-first century.
Finally, the findings achieved in this thesis can inform the design of policy instruments aimed at balancing trade engagements between exporting and importing economies, while adhering to existed regulatory frameworks. In addition, this thesis provides reliable information to guide policymakers and investors seeking to promote sustainable economic development.
Postgraduate Studies Programme
Διεθνείς και Ευρωπαϊκές ΣπουδέςDepartment
Σχολή Οικονομικών, Επιχειρηματικών και Διεθνών Σπουδών. Τμήμα Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών ΣπουδώνNumber of pages
98Language
EnglishCollections
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Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα
Αναφορά Δημιουργού-Μη Εμπορική Χρήση-Όχι Παράγωγα Έργα 3.0 Ελλάδα