The Falklands / Malvinas War (1987) uses the conflict as a case study to discuss and analyse the inability of the major powers to develop a coherent and stable Developing World policy to emphasise crisis prevention rather than crisis management techniques. By analysing the formidable gap between realities, trends and perceptions that affect communications between the Americas, the author brings to light the complex dynamics in both East–West and North–South relations. The war is thus presented as nothing less than the inevitable result of a collision of misperceptions – a model that can be applied elsewhere in analysing North–South issues. The second problem raised by the author is the presence of a high cultural blind-spot and a lack of a common deterrent language between South America and the industrialised world. It is with this in mind that the author seeks to advance a common language of analysis in order to provide an incentive to further comprehend South American issues.