Two elements define regional integration in Latin America: its extension in time and its plurality. Analyses abound regarding the drivers underlying regional cooperation, the specific institutional design, its effects, and impact. However, studies have not yet provided full answers to the question of how regional institutions emerge and change through time in Latin America. To investigate this rather underexplored issue, I contribute a dynamic analytical framework whereby interests and ideas are taken as factors that interact with each other within a specified institutional environment, thus shaping processes of institutional creation, change and development. The argument advanced is that whereas the role of states and presidents remains constant, ideas and the existing regional organisations face presidents with either limitations or resources depending on the degree of synergy and convergence between states’ material interests and regional ideas and institutions. Based on the particular ideational and institutional configuration, three patterns of change may emerge: creation, conversion, and layering. The paper draws on comparative regionalism and institutionalism studies and empirically explores more than 25 years of regional cooperation in Latin America. Focus is on the comparative assessment of the Common Market of the South and the Union of South American Nations.

拉丁美洲的区域一体化有两个要素：时间上的延伸和多元化。关于区域合作的驱动因素、具体的制度设计、其影响和影响的分析比比皆是。然而，研究尚未对拉丁美洲的区域机构如何随着时间的推移而出现和变化的问题提供完整的答案。为了研究这个未被充分探索的问题，我提供了一个动态分析框架，在这个框架中，兴趣和想法被视为在特定制度环境中相互作用的因素，从而塑造了制度创建、变革和发展的过程。提出的论点是，虽然国家和总统的角色保持不变，想法和现有的区域组织面临的总统要么受到限制，要么面临资源，这取决于国家物质利益与区域思想和机构之间的协同和融合程度。基于特定的观念和制度配置，可能会出现三种变化模式：创造、转换和分层。本文借鉴了比较区域主义和制度主义研究，并实证探讨了拉丁美洲超过 25 年的区域合作。重点是对南方共同市场和南美国家联盟的比较评估。创建、转换和分层。本文借鉴了比较区域主义和制度主义研究，并实证探讨了拉丁美洲超过 25 年的区域合作。重点是对南方共同市场和南美国家联盟的比较评估。创建、转换和分层。本文借鉴了比较区域主义和制度主义研究，并实证探讨了拉丁美洲超过 25 年的区域合作。重点是对南方共同市场和南美国家联盟的比较评估。