Preview: Chapter 1 of Territorial Disputes in the Americas
Territorial Disputes in the Americas, set for release on August 20, 2025, offers a groundbreaking perspective on conflicts shaping our continent. Chapter 1, the introduction, lays the foundation for this exploration, challenging traditional approaches to understanding territorial disputes. Below is a preview of its key ideas, kicking off a 10-week series where I’ll dive into each chapter. Join me to rethink sovereignty and conflict resolution.
Why Territorial Disputes Matter
Territorial disputes, from the Falkland/Malvinas Islands to the Mexico–United States border, are as relevant today as global crises like Russia-Ukraine. Yet, traditional scholarship in legal and political sciences often takes a unidimensional approach, focusing on law or politics while sidelining emotions, nationalism, or indigenous perspectives. Chapter 1 argues for a multidimensional approach that captures the full complexity of disputes, shedding light on why leaders like Obama, Trump, Maduro, or Milei leverage these conflicts and what’s at stake in places like Greenland, the Amazon, or Antarctica.
Defining Key Concepts
The chapter defines sovereignty as dynamic and multifaceted—encompassing factual (de facto), normative (de jure), and axiological (value-based) dimensions. Territorial disputes are not just state conflicts over land or water but involve diverse agents like communities and individuals. For example, the San Andrés dispute reflects Colombia’s strategic interests and the Raizal community’s cultural identity. This broader view explains motivations behind political actions and persistent tensions.
Introducing Pluralism of Pluralisms and Multidimensionality
Chapter 1 unveils the pluralism of pluralisms, recognizing disputes as multi-subjective (involving states, communities, individuals), multi-contextual (local, regional, international), and multi-faceted (rational, empirical, axiological). This framework moves beyond unidimensional analyses, integrating emotional and cultural factors. For instance, the Falklands/Malvinas dispute intertwines Argentina’s national pride with Britain’s geopolitical stance, demanding a holistic approach.
Methodology and Structure
Building on my prior work (Núñez 2017, 2020, 2023), the book employs a modified realist model and case studies to analyze disputes like Guatemala-Belize or Antarctica’s claims. Chapter 1 outlines the book’s structure: Part 1 establishes conceptual tools, Part 2 examines Americas-specific cases (e.g., indigenous rights, neo-colonial influences), and Part 3 applies the framework to Antarctica and future implications. This approach ensures robust, empirically grounded insights.
A Call for a New Perspective
Chapter 1 critiques the fragmentation in current scholarship, which limits understanding of disputes’ complexity. By embracing a multidimensional lens, the book aims to foster better conflict resolution strategies, from regional peacebuilding (e.g., the 1998 Brasilia Peace Agreement) to addressing indigenous claims in the Amazon. It’s a call to rethink how we approach crises globally.
Get a Sneak Peek
Dive deeper into these ideas through my blog posts at https://drjorge.world , including “Territorial Disputes in the Americas: A Brief Multidimensional View” and “Antarctica.” Follow my weekly chapter reveals starting next week and join the conversation! Share your thoughts below or on X using #TerritorialDisputes. Pre-order details below.
NOTE:
New posts every Thursday.
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Preview Chapter 2: Sovereignty and Territorial Disputes– Explores sovereignty (factual, normative, axiological), dispute claims, and regional peacebuilding mechanisms.
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