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The relationship between Mexico and the United States has never been an easy one. Mexicans often approach the relationship based on resentment of their rich and powerful neighbor, while U.S. attitudes and policy often seem formed under the aegis of what Octavio Paz has called "the twin sisters of ignorance and arrogance." In this comprehensive account of recent developments in the relationship, and the way in which internal developments in each country have affected the other, Sidney Weintraub helps dispel any doubt about each country's importance to the other-- and hence the importance of relations based on mutual respect and a realistic assessment of each other's needs.
Adding to the difficulties is the enormous disparity in wealth between the two countries, together with differences in cultural and historical traditions. Public officials in each country have a perceived need to formulate policy on the basis of its appeal to domestic prejudices. Weintraub shows how misunderstandings growing out of these tendencies have exacerbated substantive problems between Mexico and the United States of trade, foreign debt, industrial development, unemployment and migration, drug trafficking, and environmental despoliation. He offers recommendations for arriving at solutions beneficial to both countries. The chapters on relations at the border and on migration patterns between the two countries make particularly clear that cultural and economic integration have grown rapidly, often in spite of official policies in both countries designed to keep this from happening, and point to a future of more rather than less interdependence. This book provides a solid framework for discussion of how best to negotiate this increasing--and crucial--integration.

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Library Journal Review

Several excellent collections have appeared recently discussing Mexican-U.S. relations, but this is the first book in many years written by a single author, providing a cogent, frank, and clear analysis of the major economic problems between the two countries. Weintraub, who has held a number of major State Department posts and is currently Dean Rusk Professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, confronts controversial issues head on, easily explains complicated economic issues to the layperson, and makes concrete policy recommendations. In fact, this work contains one of the best explanations of the Mexican debt question, in addition to trade, energy, industrial, border, and migration issues. Highly recommended for all libraries.-- Roderic A. Camp, Central Coll., Pella, Iowa (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

Weintraub, professor of public affairs at the University of Texas, examines the tensions that separate the U.S. and Mexico and at the same time tend to bring them closer together. His study outlines the economic restructuring under way in Mexico (involving a rapid opening of the market, as the U.S. moves toward more protectionism), sorts out the complicated U.S.-Mexico oil and debt interplay, and explains the unique problems of the international border. Many issues serve to sour the relationship, including opposing outlooks on Central America and disputes over drug production and traffic, but Weintraub is particularly critical of the condescending attitude prevalent in official U.S. circles, exemplified by former ambassador John Gavin's habit of lecturing the Mexican government on its shortcomings. A major theme of this instructive study is that ``policy synchronization'' between the U.S. and Mexico, whose economics are already highly integrated, would serve both well. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

CHOICE Review

Weintraub (Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs) has made a timely and important contribution in this astute and penetrating analysis of relations between the US and Mexico. The book covers some of the same issues as other works but it is unique in its argument and approach, which includes an examination of how internal developments in both countries impact on the relationship. A major theme is that the economies of the US and Mexico have become highly integrated and that both governments ought to facilitate this process further through a policy of "managed integration." Weintraub argues that the outcome of such a development would increase efficiency and would make each country more competitive on the world market to the overall benefit of its citizens. He realistically assesses the impediments to integration but maintains these can be overcome through knowledgeable, enlightened leadership on both sides. The relationship is explored through a generally comprehensive and detailed analysis in separate chapters on the complicated issues of trade, industrial policy, energy, debt, the border, and immigration. Thoughtful, concrete policy recommendations are made in each case. Systematically organized, coherent, and well written, this outstanding scholarly work contains numerous tables presenting a wealth of up-to-date data and information, excellent and highly informative footnotes, and an extensive bibliography. A superb, perceptive study highly recommended for anyone wanting to intelligently understand US-Mexican relations in the 1990s and beyond. Upper-division undergraduates and above. -R. L. Delorme, California State University, Long Beach

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

About the author:
Sidney Weintraub has held a number of major State Department posts and is currently Dean Rusk Professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.