Gringolandia: Mexican Identity and Perceptions of the United States

(Paperback)

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Description

Mexico's views of the United States have been characterized as stridently anti-American, but recent policy changes in Mexico-culminating with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)-mark a fundamental transformation in the relationship. This thoughtful and original work answers questions about the impact of these policy shifts on Mexican nationalism and perceptions of the United States. Have popular and elite views changed Has the government's anti-American rhetoric become anachronistic What has been the effect on Mexican national identity As the only developing country to have entered into a free trade agreement with a developed country, Mexico offers a unique and invaluable case study of the impact of globalization on a nation and its national identity. Exploring Mexico's experience also allows us to consider how other countries perceive the United States, especially in the post-9/11 climate. Analyzing the diversity of Mexican views of the United States, Gringolandia contributes a rich and nuanced dimension to our understanding of contemporary Mexico and Mexicans' feelings about the vital cross-border relationship.

Reviews

Throughout this wonderful book on the way Mexicans perceive the U.S., Morris skillfully shows that while the discourse of Mexican politicians deals with the political present, privileging the issues of economic prosperity and development, Mexican school texts portray the U.S. as historically anti-Mexican and dangerous....Highly recommended. * Choice Reviews *
Morris is to be congratulated for the breadth of his research, including engagement with a wide and disparate secondary literature, and for the clarity of his prose. * The Americas: A Quarterly Review of Latin American History *
A beautifully crafted exploration that will appeal to a wide range of readers. Anyone interested in Mexico will benefit from its thoughtful insights. -- Roderic Ai Camp, Philip McKenna Professor of the Pacific Rim, Claremont McKenna College

Author Bio

Stephen D. Morris is professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at Middle Tennessee State University.