Academic in origin, these nine essays are divided equally into three categories: perspectives on Inter-American relations; U.S.-Latin American relations; and human rights and U.S. policy toward Latin America. U.S. hegemony is seen as the principal constant governing the Inter-American system. A discouraging note: "As the decades flow by, the Inter-American relationship appears to focus upon the most pressing issue of the moment. If there is none, the region is ignored."