In this chapter we provide a general overview of trends in PTAs in Latin America (LA), with an emphasis on PTA design and diffusion. We base the chapter around four primary tasks. First, we review extant theoretical accounts underlying the motivations for LA countries’ engagement with PTAs. We classify countries into three groups – the liberal traders, post-liberals and anti-liberals – based on their approach to PTA partner selection and design. Second, we compare Latin America to other world regions. We show that countries in the region sign many PTAs on average, but that design features vary considerably within the region. Third, we show that PTA design in the region is influenced by both economic and political factors. Fourth, we use quantitative text analysis to analyse whether common models or templates can be observed in the region. We find some evidence that agreements involving the US have diffused within the region, but we fail to uncover strong evidence of a single template or templates that LA countries routinely adopt. Overall, our analysis paints a picture of a heterogeneous region where domestic political and economic factors affect how countries engage with the world economy through PTAs.

This chapter introduces the jurisprudence of Ronald Dworkin. It outlines the various components of his liberal individualistic theory and how this conceptualises group phenomena including religion. It notes how English law is largely based on this model, highlights its deficiencies as regards the regulation of religion, and traces its declining influence from 2016. It argues that liberal individualism is a suboptimal model on which to base the law of religion because it takes insufficient account of groups and civil society.