Abstract:
This paper analyses the current scenario of regional economic integration in Latin America. Thus, it is argued that economic integration in this region is currently developing in three axes: an open integration axis (represented by the Pacific Alliance); a revisionist axis (symbolized by the Southern Common Market –Mercosur-) and an anti-systemic axis (represented by the Bolivarian Alliance for the People of our America –ALBA-). In each of these initiatives, diverse models of regional economic integration have been adopted. The relation between the current regionalist axes and the diverse models of economic integration in Latin America is discussed in the paper. Similarly, the paper evaluates the extent to which extra-regional initiatives, such as the European Union, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have also influenced on the models of economic integration in Latin America.

Author: José Briceño-Ruiz
Full document: 2014, Briceño, Regional Dynamics and External Influences in the Discussions about the Model of Economic Integration in Latin America

Abstract:
The North Atlantic space is undergoing active reconfiguration. In the Western Hemisphere this trend is marked by the presence of three distinct models of integration: intra-regional blocks such as Mercosur and the Andean Community; the FTAA and mega-regional agreements with the EU; and bilateral PTAs that have sprung up with greater impetus since the FTAA failure. The demise of the FTAA opened up the way for a dual track approach to trade integration in the hemisphere: on one hand, with Brazil increasingly seeking to institutionalise the South American subsystem, and on the other, the US resorting to bilateral agreements with like-minded countries in that same regional subsystem. The active rivalry between these two countries through preferential agreements is a major factor affecting the regional re-distribution of power.

Resumen:
El espacio noratlántico está experimentando una reconfiguración activa. En el hemisferio occidental, esta tendencia está marcada por la presencia de tres modelos distintos de integración: bloques intrarregionales como el Mercosur y la Comunidad Andina; el Área de Libre Comercio de las Américas (ALCA) y los acuerdos mega-regionales con la UE; así como acuerdos preferenciales de comercio bilaterales que han surgido con más fuerza desde el fracaso del ALCA. La desaparición del ALCA abrió el camino a una doble vía de integración comercial en el hemisferio: por un lado, Brasil trata cada vez más de institucionalizar el subsistema de América del Sur, y, por el otro, Estados Unidos recurre a acuerdos bilaterales con los países de ideas afines en este subsistema regional. La activa rivalidad entre estos dos estados a través de acuerdos preferenciales es un factor importante que afecta a la redistribución regional del poder.

Spanish Title: Modelos competitivos de integración en el hemisferio occidental: ¿liderazgo competitivo o negación mutua?
Author: Cintia Quiliconi
Full document: 2013, Quiliconi, Modelos Competitivos de Integración en el Hemisferio Occidental- ¿Liderazgo Competitivo o Negación Mutua?

Abstract:
The year 2013 brought much attention to the Pacific Alliance (Alianza del Pacífico), the most recent regional integration initiative in Latin America.
Building on the existing free trade agreements between them, the four members of the Alliance –Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru– have set the goal of advancing towards the free movement of goods, services, capitals and people, with the objective of creating an ‘area of deep integration’ to stimulate economic growth and competitiveness.
Since it was formally constituted in June 2012, the Pacific Alliance has come to be seen as the most promising and dynamic regional group in Latin America. Adopting a free market approach to regional integration, it is widely perceived as an alternative to the ‘stagnating’ and ‘increasingly protectionist’ Mercosur bloc. In this regard, the Pacific Alliance has led to hopes for a new momentum for regional integration and cooperation in Latin America, as well as to concerns about a possible fracture in the region. The EU, which has long-standing institutionalised links, liberalised trade and good relations with the members of the Pacific Alliance, has welcomed the Alliance as a promising initiative. The evolution of the Alliance could have direct or indirect consequences for the EU’s relations with other regional blocs in Latin America.

Institutional Author: European Parliament
Full document: 2014, EU PP, The Pacific Alliance- Regional Integration or Fragmentation?

Abstract:
What is the key to understanding the development of the European Union? The author argues that federalism was an essential factor. Therefore, the success of the Pacific Alliance should be viewed from that perspective.

Resumen:
¿Cuál es la clave para comprender el desarrollo de la Unión Europea? El autor considera que el federalismo fue un factor imprescindible; por eso, el éxito de la Alianza del Paceifico debe observarse desde ese punto de vista.

Author: Carlos Hakansson
Spanish Title: La Alianza del Pacífico y los Factores Indispensables para su Dinámica Integradora
Book reference: La Arquitectura del Ordenamiento Internacional y su Desarrollo en Materia Económica, Eric Tremolada (ed) (p 407-424)
Full document: not available (Universidad Externado, 2015)

Abstract:

This book delves into the Pacific Alliance from different perspectives, including the realms of foreign diplomacy, economy, politics and technological aspects, whilst analysing the opportunities that may occur during this process of regional integration. […]

In short, this book aims to present a deep and meticulous analysis of what the Pacific Alliance is so far. Beyond delving into an informed explanation of the process of regional integration, the book tries not only to offer a landscape of untapped opportunities that may potentially contribute to the success of the Pacific Alliance but also to make serious recommendations in areas that may present substantial challenges for the Pacific Alliance.

Edited book with 15 contributions from several authors

Resumen:
No disponible

Editors: Mario Torres Jarrín and Jonathan Violante Pica
Full document: 2016, Torres & Violante, Emerging Markets-The Pacific Alliance

Abstract:
Not available

Resumen:
[…] Desde el 2011 en que se creó la Alianza, esta ha sabido sortear algunas dificultades y lograr un importante grado de eficacia y legitimidad, gracias a su carácter abierto y flexible, lo que de mantenerse en el tiempo puede posibilitar que por primera vez en la región, un proceso de integración funcione.

Lo anterior motivó al Instituto de Estudios Internacionales (IDEI) de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, a llevar a cabo un estudio de este proceso, el cual se divide en cinco grandes capítulos. El primero de ellos está destinado a analizar el escenario integracionista latinoamericano previo a la Alianza así como el surgimiento del denominado Foro del Arco del Pacífico Latinoamericano, que fue su antecedente inmediato.

El segundo capítulo aborda la creación de la Alianza, su naturaleza jurídica, su estructura e importancia, los Estados participantes, las reuniones y acuerdos para la consolidación del bloque y la incorporación del sector empresarial.

El siguiente capítulo, que es el más extenso, se encarga de analizar los avances en los cinco pilares de la Alianza que son la libre circulación de bienes, servicios e inversión, capitales, personas y cooperación. El cuarto capítulo se enfoca en el relacionamiento externo de este bloque con el Asia-Pacífico, la Unión Europea y EE.UU. así como con otros bloques de América Latina; mientras que el quinto y último se concentra en plantear un conjunto de recomendaciones para el fortalecimiento de este proceso.[…]

Authors: Fabián Novak and Sandra Namihas
Spanish Title: Alianza del Pacífico: Situación, Perspectivas y Propuestas para su Consolidación
Full document: 2015, Novak & Minhas, Alianza del Pacífico, Situación Perspectivas

Abstract:
This paper explores the new Latin American association experience known as Pacific Alliance and describes some elements of comparison with the most developed and consolidated experience of the European Union. After illustrating briefly the history and regulation of the Pacific Alliance, it puts in evidence some similarities between these two organizations, such as: i) the reduced number of States; ii) the common political will of Member States; iii) the economic model developed in the internal as well as in the external relations; iv) a step-by-step realization of objectives with different times and means; v) common external relations. It also underlines some differences, namely: i) the relevance of the political element; ii) the legal nature of the organization, which is that of a multilateral agreement for the Pacific Alliance; iii) different legal means to realize statutory objectives.
Finally a great significance has the different approach in external relations as well as the provision of a classic system of dispute settlement within the Pacific Alliance which is in contrast with the well-known judicial system operanting within the European Union.

Resumen:
La contribución analiza la nueva asociación de la Alianza del Pacífico realizada en América Latina e ilustra algunos elementos de comparaciones con la más desarrollada y consolidada experiencia de la Unión Europea. Tras presentar de manera sintética la historia y la disciplina actual de la Alianza del Pacífico, el ensayo indica los elementos de similitudes entre las dos experiencias: i) el reducido número de estados; ii) la voluntad política compartida por los estados miembros; iii) el modelo económico similar tanto en las relaciones internas como en aquellas internacionales; iv) el proceder de manera paulatina para la realización de los objetivos con tiempos y herramientas diferentes; v) las relaciones exteriores comunes. Entre las diferencias se señalan: i) el valor del componente político; ii) la naturaleza jurídica, que para la Alianza del Pacífico es aquella de un acuerdo multilateral; iii) los diferentes instrumentos jurídicos para realizar los objetivos. Finalmente el estudio señala el diferente enfoque en las relaciones exteriores y la previsión de un sistema de soluciones de las controversias, que es clásico para la Alianza del Pacífico, en contraste con el notorio sistema jurisdiccional comunitario europeo.

Author: Piero Pennetta
Italian Title: Ancora un’esperienza associativa in America Latina: I´Alleanza del Pacífico. Considerazioni compárate con I´Unione europea
Full document: 2015, Penetta, Ancora Un Esperienza Associativa in America Latina- I Alleanza Del Pacífico- Considerazioni Compárate Con I Unione Europea

Abstract:
The interest of the countries to look for an international framework for the protection of Intellectual property rights started in the late XIX century. However, in the global trade field, an international standard was recently featured in 1994 with the emergence of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Agreement on Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Related to Trade (TRIPs Agreement). Later, the Intellectual property topics have been deepened under schemes of bilateral international trade agreements encouraged primarily by the United States of America, European Union and Japan, aiming to protect their industries.

Considering the importance of the Pacific Alliance and its intra-regional and global projection, emphasising the Asia Pacific region, it is a particular interest to be able to analyse the points that the bloc should bear in mind to create obligations on intellectual property matters that will attend to its interests. Although these obligations have not been established, it has gathered a working group entrusted to develop a working plan on intellectual property affairs.

For that reason, the current work will present the common ground of the intellectual property matters that the founding countries of the Pacific Alliance share. These works refer to some of the problems these countries are currently facing regarding this matter, as well as the points of interest that they could boost in the frame of the Pacific Alliance. We will also address the question of whether such issues should be discussed in the context of cooperation or if it is appropriate and necessary to articulate obligations at the international level, which allows them to address this problem and address those interests.
From our perspective, some conditions exist in the framework of the Pacific Alliance that can make favourable to adopt actions before the accession of new members to these integration processes in the following years.

Resumen:
No disponible

Authors: John Cusipuma and Gonzalo Ramírez
Full document: 2016, Cusipuma & Ramirez, Pacific Alliance- An Opportunity to Establish New Priorities on the Protection of Intellectual Property in Free Trade