Rich Neighbors Research Articles

A marriage of convenience: relations between Mexico and the United States

The relationship between Mexico and United States has never been an easy one. Mexicans often approach relationship based on resentment of their rich and powerful neighbor, while U.S. attitudes and policy often seem formed under aegis of what Octavio Paz has called the twin sisters of ignorance and arrogance. In this comprehensive account of recent developments in relationship, and way in which internal developments in each country have affected other, Sidney Weintraub helps dispel any doubt about each country's importance to other-- and hence importance of relations based on mutual respect and a realistic assessment of each other's needs. Adding to difficulties is enormous disparity in wealth between two countries, together with differences in cultural and historical traditions. Public officials in each country have a perceived need to formulate policy on basis of its appeal to domestic prejudices. Weintraub shows how misunderstandings growing out of these tendencies have exacerbated substantive problems between Mexico and 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 border and on migration patterns between 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.

Intervention a Problem of International Guardianship

IN this question of intervention what confronts us is fundamentally a problem of guardian and ward. In a newer and larger sphere-relations between States-we are considering the same perplexing question which, between individuals, was solved hundreds of years ago. We are dealing with immature, undeveloped and unprotected communities-the minors and orphans of international society. But while in both international and national relations we have the same problem, we have developed in the international field no law to meet it. For the protection of the international weakling there is no law of guardianship, and in fact there is very little law at all. Just imagine the bitterness, the injustice and chaos which would result if, in affairs between man and man, the law in this matter were as defective as it is today between nation and nation! Suppose that an orphan child of ten possessed much valuable property, but little wisdom as to how to manage it. This child owes considerable money to a powerful neighbor. He proves to be so unruly, quarrelsome and so utterly unable to control himself or his property, that his rich neighbor, worried over the child's condition and the security of his own interests, voluntarily steps in and takes over the administration of the child's affairs. He undertakes to manage the child's receipts and expenses, and induces the latter to borrow more money from him. Now this rich neighbor is bound by no law of guardianship. There is no court to review his stewardship and to hold him to the high duties of trusteeship. The only law available-which, by the way, the rich neighbor interprets for himself-is that he may not intervene in the child's affairs except in case of imminent necessity! Who would be without worry as to the welfare of this child? There are