Date of Award

Spring 5-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Political Science & Geography

Program/Concentration

Graduate Program in International studies

Committee Director

Simon Serfaty

Committee Director

Kurt T. Gaubatz

Committee Member

Francis Adams

Call Number for Print

Special Collections LD4331.I45 R63 2013

Abstract

This research addresses the issue of insufficient or stagnated progress toward U.S. foreign policy objectives for Latin America through an analysis of Department of Defense resource allocations toward the region. These resources are critical to achieving progress toward U.S. foreign policy objectives because the relationships and engagements the DOD establish with Latin American partner nations largely precede and characterize the role of the U.S. in the region.

First 'efficiency' is defined, and then U.S. foreign policy objectives for the region and the regional issues are outlined. Next, Department of Defense resources are characterized and their posture and allocations in the region are reviewed. The research finally proposes potential modifications to resource allocations which could increase their efficiency in achieving progress toward U.S. foreign policy objectives for the region.

The research finds that if internal Department of Defense processes are improved, the efficacies of their programs are consistently evaluated for self-improvement purposes, and their networks within and outside of the DOD are strengthened, then strategic obstacles to achieving efficient resource allocation and progress toward foreign policy objectives can be overcome.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/kj58-sx61

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