Abstract The article aims to explore how the Russian Federation seeks regional strategic leadership in Central Asia, through its role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), influenced by the Chinese presence in the region. For this, we have used the methodological case study tool, by deductive method, in order to explore – from general to specific – particularities of the selected case. In the current analysis, the paper is divided into two sections: i) Shanghai Cooperation Organization: idea and conception in international security; and, ii) Russian geopolitics and Chinese trade: Change of power balance at SCO?

Resumo Este artigo tem por objetivo analisar a participação da sociedade civil, por meio da identificação dos grupos de interesse argentinos, nos processos de integração regional, com destaque para a utilização e aplicação dos recursos originados do Fundo de Convergência Estrutural do Mercosul (FOCEM) e da Iniciativa para a Infraestrutura da Região Sul-americana (IIRSA), como uma vertente ancorada na União das Nações Sul-americanas (UNASUL). A metodologia buscou, ainda, por meio do método comparativo entre os mecanismos de redução de assimetrias regionais, delimitar as diferenças nos projetos de infraestrutura aprovados nos anos de 2012 e 2013, considerando as preferências dos grupos argentinos. Conclui––se sobre o distanciamento entre as preferências dos atores sociais estudados e o potencial dos modelos de integração correntes. Enquanto a IIRSA reforça o subde-senvolvimento latino-americano, o FOCEM é capaz de reduzir assimetrias regionais, mas não possui recursos suficientes para promover uma efetiva convergência infraestrutural regional.

Abstract This paper aims to analyze civil society participation through the identification of Argentinian interest groups in processes of regional integration, with emphasis on the use and destination of resources from Mercosur Structural Convergence Fund (FOCEM) and the Initiative for Infrastructure of the South American Region (IIRSA) later connected to the Union of South American Nations (UNASUL). The methodology sought, through a comparative method between the mechanisms of reduction of regional asymmetries, to define differences in infrastructure projects approved during 2012 and 2013, considering the existence of preferences assumed by certain Argentinian groups. This article concludes that there is a distance between the preferences of the social actors studied and the current regional integration model possibilities. While IIRSA reinforces Latin American underdevelopment; FOCEM is able to reduce regional asymmetries, but has no sufficient resources to promote an effective regional infrastructure convergence.