Regional Power in National Diplomacy: The Case of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission

Abstract

An interesting anomaly in the usual pattern of federal foreign policy management is found in the case of the U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico. The U.S. Section functions as a quasi-independent agency formally subject to the U.S. Department of State for policy oversight. Since its formation in 1945, however, the U.S. Section has acquired substantial institutional autonomy from the State Department due to its specialized jurisdiction, clientele relations with U.S. border states, and bilateral diplomacy. The U.S. Section performs a mediator role between the State Department and its state clientele in resolving transboundary problems with Mexico, and leans toward the states when federal and state interests conflict.