Paper short abstract:

This paper intends to counter the view that ALBA is a unilateral Venezuelan project, by considering the role of Bolivia and Ecuador in constructing the imaginary of ALBA, and consolidating it in the ‘Peoples Trade Treaty’ and ‘Unified Regional System for Economic Compensation’ respectively.

Paper long abstract:

The ALBA is often perceived as a unilateral project driven by Venezuela, with other members seen simply as passive recipients of Chávez's aid and oil largesse. This paper intends to counter that perspective by considering the role of Bolivia and Ecuador in building the regional framework as we see it today. When Bolivia and Ecuador joined the ALBA, following the elections of Evo Morales and Rafael Correa respectively, they brought with them unique perspectives on regional relations and creative solutions to encourage endogenous development, which were vital to the emergent framework. The paper will consider the countries' roles in constructing the 'imaginary' of ALBA, as well as its institutionalization through the establishment of the 'Tratado the Comercio de los Pueblos' (TCP, or 'Peoples Trade Treaty) and 'Sistema Unificado de Compensacion Regional Economico' (SUCRE, or 'Unified Regional System for Economic Compensation') respectively. To this end we will explore both the rhetoric surrounding these two alternative approaches to regional trade and their concrete achievements, in terms of reasserting the state as an economic actor, challenging market fundamentalism, and undermining US economic hegemony in the region.