Argentina And Chile Case Study

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Question 1

Throughout history, the fight for land and its ensueing struggle, has long been a precurresor for conflict. An "unclaimed" terrrority can quickly turn allies into enemies overnight. Such is the case, with both the countries of Argentina and Chile. In the early 1800s, Argentina and Chile fought side by side for independence against Spain. However, ever since then, conflict has been steadily brewing ("Winds of War" Patagonia, 2015). The main contributing reason for the conflict between them, is due to contiguity. Both countries claimed the land of Patagonia, which, caused the tension to rise, and thus a conflict ensued. . If two countries share a land or sea border, then they are thirty five times more likely to go to war. So it …show more content…

The major differences in economic policies are another key reason. Chile is a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and has a small economy based upon exports ("Chile and APEC: Selling points" The Economist, 2004). Argentina, on the other hand, is a member of Mercosur, the leading trading market in South America. Chile is associated with Mercosur, while Argentina is one of their global economic giants ("BBC News - Profile: Mercosur - Common Market of the South," 2012). The relationship between Chile and Argentina, has been directly effected, due to these …show more content…

The CIA World Factbook shows that Argentina 's military can reach as many as ten million soldiers available for war. Chile, meanwhile, cannot reach even half that with only around four million soldiers available ("The World Factbook," 2015). This difference in hard power, increases the likelihood of war between these countries. If two countries are both nuclear, then they are seven times more likely to go to war. However, for the conflict between Argentina and Chile, this rule does not apply. Argentina pursued nuclear weapons for many years but, ultimately, decided against the development of weapons of mass destruction. Both Chile and Argentina, are members of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. ("Nuclear Weapons Program," 2015). Although, Argentina and Chile share one of the worlds largest shorelines, they do not have an enduring rivalry. Perhaps at first, an enduring rivalry seemed imminent, however recent diplomacy between both countries has dispelled that notion. Their only major dispute was over land was Patagonia, after they each reached their independence in the early 19th century. They were both young nations who, throughout time have matured enough to accept their neighbors, for the betterment of both

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