| Structural and conceptual changes in the international system and non-traditional, intermestic forms of violence have rendered military power alone insufficient to restore and maintain international peace and security; and no individual state can do this alone. Security is now at the centre of the international relations while the necessity to cooperate for international security is increasingly accepted. Mexico's necessity to cooperate (arguably created by a series of factors manifested at both the national and the international planes, such as the New Threats and international pressure) comes at the time that it experiences democratization process (also with domestic and international ramifications). Modern Peacekeeping Operations are examined as a potential contribution by Mexico to international security. This study argues that "Selective Peacekeeping," a term proposed by this author---meaning participating only in "selected" UN peacekeeping operations, performing only "selected" functions---can serve both ends: it can be a more central feature of Mexico's foreign policy in response to international security, and the catalyst for modernizing its armed forces to deal more efficiently with new domestically perceived threats, such as drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism. Obstacles that need to be overcome by Mexico, such as domestic opposition and a traditional non-involvement policy, and the benefits of its participation, are identified. Key aspects of modern peacekeeping help recognizing strengths and weaknesses of the Mexican military for active participation in international security. For comparative purposes, this study examines the cases of Argentina and Japan's involvement in Peacekeeping Operations. First, the case of Argentina underscores the role of UN peacekeeping participation as reform catalyser and policy harmonizer. Second, the case of Japan shows an effective use of safeguards to limit participation in Peacekeeping Operations, and consequently, within constitutional restraints. The study concludes proving that Mexico's foreign policy principles are compatible with those of UN Peacekeeping and erases the idea of unconstitutionality for these kinds of operations. A series of policy recommendations for successful Mexican participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations are included at the end. |
