POPULAR CULTURE AND U.S. POLICY TOWARD LATIN AMERICAKEY PERSPECTIVESLATIN AMERICAN RESPONSESPUBLIC OPINION AND FOREIGN POLICYSlide 5Slide 6BASIC HYPOTHESESPAUSING A MOMENT…AND NOW….“The Gringo in Mañanaland”POPULAR CULTURE AND U.S. POLICY TOWARD LATIN AMERICAKEY PERSPECTIVES•1. U.S. more powerful than countries of Latin America (including region as a whole)•2. Therefore U.S. has wide latitude for policy—though decision-making often restricted or “bounded” by ideology•3. And Latin America has less latitude, must operate within (explicit or implicit) limitsLATIN AMERICAN RESPONSES•1. Result of rational calculations, thus “rational choice”•2. Not psychological: love-hate relationships, adolescent outlooks, etc.•3. Menus of “strategic options”—in differing periods, under differing circumstances—key topic here•4. Hence view of dynamic relationship, not only U.S. policyPUBLIC OPINION AND FOREIGN POLICYQuestions:1. Does popular culture matter?2. Does public opinion shape foreign policy?3. What is the role of mass media?America’s Prestige around the World, 1999-2006Popular Support for GWB and Iraq PolicyBASIC HYPOTHESES 1. Public opinion has significant effects, especially in democracies2. Public opinion has little if any effect:a. foreign policy belongs to bureaucrats and/or big businessb. citizens unconcerned or uninformedb. international issues do not win elections: “all politics is local”3. State apparatus can mold and mobilize public opinion, which in turn provides legitimacy for elite decisionsPAUSING A MOMENT…•What kinds of attitudes are relevant? And where do they come from?–Information?•Media•Education–Experience?–Socialization?•Friends•Family•Institutions/associationsAND NOW….•Taking an intergenerational perspective, let us examine…•Hollywood’s depictions of Latin America, especially during post-WWII period•Question: How much has changed?“The Gringo in Mañanaland”1. The hero discovers paradise2. The hero has a dream about bananas3. The hero has a problem with women4. And with bandits5. The hero calls in the Marines (who save the day)6. The bandits cooperate (from prison)7. The Good Neighbors are