Circulation of people and cultural heritage in MERCOSUR as dimensions for the consolidation of a regional community

Abstract

 From an institutional-constructivist theoretical perspective, this article aims to bring new contributions to the study of Mercosur as the process of consolidating a regional community through the analysis of institutional proposals and the foundations of a common cultural narrative promoted during the progressive cycle in Latin America in two associated political fields, although not usually studied together: circulation of people and cultural heritage. The methodological approach is qualitative, based on the review of academic articles and official documents, consultations with Brazilian and Argentine public authorities and direct observation of Mercosur meetings. The results found in the analysis of the politics of circulation of people and the activities of the Mercosur Cultural Heritage Commission allow us to state that both contribute to the deepening of cognitive interdependence between authorities and citizens across Mercosur’s countries and to the construction of a common socio-cultural space. The integration process, however, faces the challenges inherent to the intergovernmentalism and the modern model of the Nation-State, such as the dichotomy foreigner-national, as a condition to be overcome in order for a regional citizenship and identity to be built, one that should be based on social interest and engagement of citizen in the regionalization process.