1
Abstract
Peru and Ecuador went to war in 1995 despite hopes that the end of the Cold
War and the spread of democracy would lead to fewer such conflicts. This
paper examines the reasons for the war, including the role of democracy, but
in particular investigates whether U.S. hegemony may have ironically and
unintentionally fostered greater carelessness among the combatants.
Introduction
In 1995, two South American countries fought a short but vicious war
over a 78-km disputed portion of their border. The Cenepa War between Peru
and Ecuador raised several questions. First, it questioned the role of hegemony
in ensuring peace or stability. Second, it belied a commonly held view that
Latin America is more peaceful than other regions of the world. Third, it raised
questions about the relationship between democracy and war.
U.S. hegemony in the Western Hemisphere has been a “fact of life”; for
close to two centuries the U.S. has heavily influenced the politics and
economies of Latin American countries. According to some variants of
hegemonic stability theory, one would expect a Pax Americana as a result.
2
Yet
interstate conflicts have persisted in a region one expects the U.S. to wield its
greatest influence.
This paper is part of a larger project examining when, why, and how
weaker countries either conform with or violate the expectations of a
hegemonic leader. Rather than explain the goals, means, and motivations of
the hegemon, this is an attempt to study the goals, means, and motivations of
weaker countries in a hegemonic system.
2
William C. Wohlforth, “The Stability of a Unipolar World,” International Security 24, no. 1
(Summer 1999): 5-41.
Convention