UNASUR and Its Future Impact on the Americas

The Union of South American Nations UNASUR proposes to be a strong and integrated organization that will lead regional development by addressing political, social, and economic issues capitalizing on regional identity and being an inclusive organization that promotes science and technology. UNASUR consists of 12 South American nations of which 2 have already ratified the constitutive treaty. Even in its developmental phase, UNASUR demonstrated its effectiveness by mitigating political unrest in Bolivia in September 2008. The new organizations effectiveness on this occasion provides insights concerning its future role in conflicts around the region and its relationship to the Organization of American States OAS. Some issues remain unresolved, however. The provision for decision by consensus poses a major challenge as all matters must be resolved by unanimity. While key social and economic issues have not yet been considered, decision by consensus has already proven a challenge by delaying the selection of the first Secretary General of UNASUR. The general philosophy of UNASUR will be established by the development of its institutional processes as well as its relations with other sub-regional organizations. The paper analyzes the critical issues that will determine UNASURs prospects in regional and international contexts.