ABSTRACT
This chapter seeks to carry out a twofold exercise regarding the concept of autonomy in International Relations (IR) in Latin America. Firstly, it brings a historic view of these debates to reflect on their content and future in order to, secondly, determine their validity and scope, since it will allow us to interpret existing conflicts in countries that are not global powers, that is to say, the vast majority. In this regard, autonomy stands at the center of the debate, not only as a contribution to the GIR project but also to think beyond Latin America and apply it to other latitudes. Theoretical debates about autonomy constitute a central axis of foreign policy analysis because they also lead to rethink the possibilities of agency in peripheral countries. We will review the origins of the concept and then analyze its most recent classifications, modifications and derivations. Finally, we will address the characteristics of the different contributions, seeking to analyze the epistemic value of the theories of autonomy as a contribution to GIR.
