Bordering the Future: The Impact of Mexico on the United States

(Hardback)

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The differences between the United States and Mexico may be immense, but their linkseconomic, political, and socialare profound, and growing stronger. In this incisive narrative, John Adams argues that Mexico, with which the United States shares a 1,951 mile border, is no sideshow but a pivotal component of American economic health and regional security. The primary theme that runs throughout this book is that Mexico has historically had, and will continue to e Drawing from the most current economic and demographic data and business examples, Adams demonstrates the depth and breadth of U.S.-Mexican relations, and their implications for American business and policymaking. In the process, he dispels popular myths about Mexico as an economic backwater or political distraction. The result is an authoritative and colorful account of our complex relationship with our neighbor to the south, and its broader implications for global growth and political stability. The border between the United States and Mexico runs for 1,951 miles. The differences between the two nations may be immense, but their linkseconomic, political, and socialare profound, and growing stronger. In this incisive narrative, John Adams argues that Mexico is no sideshow, but a pivotal component of American economic health and regional security. The primary theme that runs throughout the book is that Mexicoits domestic growth and industrial capacity, population pressures, energy needs, political dynamics, and strategic locationhas historically had, and will continue to have, a tremendous impact on the United States. Drawing from the most current economic and demographic data and business examples, Adams demonstrates the depth and breadth of U.S.-Mexican relations and their implications for American business and policymaking. A unique aspect of the book is his analysis of the competition between Mexico and China for American resources for investment, trade, and economic development. Adams also dispels popular myths about Mexico as an economic backwater or political distraction. The result is an authoritative and colorful account of our complex relationship with our neighbor to the southand its broader implications for global economic growth and political stability.

Reviews

A close observer of issues surrounding the US-Mexican relationship for more than 20 years, Adams notes that historical events play a larger role in shaping Mexican attitudes toward the US than vice versa. He then attempts in this slim volume to redress the imbalance to improve understanding north of their vast shared border. Five broad issues affecting US-Mexican relations receive extensive attention: agriculture; immigration; energy (mainly petroleum); globalization (mainly China); the border industrialization program (maquiladora); and NAFTA's recent impact on its development. Adams traces the historical roots of these issues and explores feasible options for coping with the current and future challenges they present. In the course of dealing with these five issues, he also addresses topics such as government stability, environmental concerns, demographics, education, infrastructure investment, and the move toward a market economy. Adams concludes with a vision of a lasting and closer relationship between the two nations. Recommended. General readers; upper-division undergraduate through professional audiences. * Choice *
[T]he value of the book consists in its descriptive nature. Number by number, acronym by acronym, year by year, statistic by statistic, the book weaves a scenario that sheds light on the major problems facing Mexico today.The book is quite readable for an undergraduate class and the general public, It contains information and statistics couched in a historical perspective. Students and general readers who want to know the basics of Mexico's economic and political environment today, its perils, challenges, and opportunities, will be enlightened by reading it. * Political Science Quarterly *
Adams provides a timely work covering background data, and policy prescriptions on key issues embedded in the Mexican political economy.For anyone intersted in getting some insight into the history of these issues as they inform the discussion about NAFTA, border tensions, direct foreign investment into Mexico, legal and illegal immigration into the United States, and impact of industrialization in China on North America, Adams's book provides a good starting point. * MultiCultural Review *

Author Bio

John A. Adams Jr. is President and CEO of Enterprise Florida Inc., a public-private partnership responsible for leading Florida's statewide economic development efforts. For over 20 years, he has been actively involved in international trade, with a specialty in Latin America and an emphasis on emerging industrial and financial markets in Mexico. He has served as a delegate to the GATT negotiations, an advisor to the World Trade Organization, Chairman of the Industry Sector Advisory Council for trade policy review at the U.S. Department of Commerce, and he has provided Congressional testimony on U.S.-Mexico border infrastructure issues. Adjunct Professor of International Banking and Finance at Texas A&M International University, Laredo, he speaks widely to industry, government, international trade, and economic development groups around the world, and is the author of many articles and books, including Mexican Banking and Investment in Transition (1997).