This chapter will operate between two poles of concern: (i) the wider perspective – the British approach to cultural relations generally and to national self-presentation through cultural diplomacy (it is impossible to consider the Latin American case without examining this wider context); and (2) the more narrow focus – Britain's cultural relationship with Latin America through history to the present day, with particular reference to the recent and contemporary period and to the formulation of policy.

Of course this second, specifically Latin American, focus is only narrow in relative terms: it is a vast subject. Yet I may as well start by declaring that in the light of my own experience of educational and cultural relations, and of visits to Latin America and elsewhere, I began this inquiry with a certain amount of scepticism as to the effectiveness of the national effort in this direction and have ended it with something close to dismay, if not despair. Admittedly, much depends on one's understanding of culture and its current and possible functions, on the one hand, and on the other on one's understanding of Britain today, the British national interest and the objectives of cultural diplomacy. What is not in doubt, however, is that the subject of cultural diplomacy has been aired in the past four years as never before in post-war British history.

Equally beyond doubt is the assertion that, in theory at least, few if any nations, with the possible exception of France, ought to be better placed than Britain to develop a modest, but mutually beneficial, relationship with Latin America. One could mention three facilitating circumstances by way of background.