cover image A Marriage of Convenience: Relations Between Mexico and the United States a Twentieth Century Fund Report

A Marriage of Convenience: Relations Between Mexico and the United States a Twentieth Century Fund Report

Sidney Weintraub. Oxford University Press, USA, $29.95 (288pp) ISBN 978-0-19-506125-3

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.)