Description
The article aims to analyse the duration of the intervals between signature and ratification of international treaties by Mercosur countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela) between 1991 and 2026. It compares the incorporation of three organisations: United Nations (systemic level); Organisation of American States (continental level); and Mercosur (regional level). Guided by the research puzzle to test if this group of countries has complied with multilateral rules and international organisations, testing if the ratification of treaties was faster in periods of disputes or domestic instabilities, which might have fostered the turn to the multilateral system. The study employs exploratory data analysis to describe and find patterns that contribute to understanding the research puzzle. Data was collected from publicly available datasets and organised into the current dataset. This article’s innovative contribution is an empirical approach to understanding longitudinal patterns of the participation of Mercosur countries in the international system.