Mexico

[AmericanPride]

I am taking a course on the history of Mexico this semester.

I am not particularly fond of our southern neighbor, and I have expressed opinions here and elsewhere that will reinforce that.

I am of the opinion that this class will further reinforce my views.

[FightingFalcon]

You'd be surprised at what you learn about a country when you take a class on it.

After taking the History of Modern China, I have changed my views significantly about the country. I did not realize just how Capitalist they had become, albeit they are still very Communist.

Just try to go into it with an open mind Chris . Don't buy into any pure BS but don't reject everything the Prof says, either.

[101ABN]

James Michener's "Mexico" is an excellent historical novel about Mexico. It's not "real" history but it's historically based and Michener typically did exhaustive research.

[AmericanPride]

admin said:

James Michener's "Mexico" is an excellent historical novel about Mexico. It's not "real" history but it's historically based and Michener typically did exhaustive research.

The library of my school is named after him.....

[LorSpi]

americanpride2 said:

I am taking a course on the history of Mexico this semester.

I am not particularly fond of our southern neighbor, and I have expressed opinions here and elsewhere that will reinforce that.

I am of the opinion that this class will further reinforce my views.

I did a 6 month area studies before I went to live there for 2 years. It is quite diverse. The border area is nothing like the capital. Vera Cruz has a different outlook than the rest of the country. The Yucatan is autonomous while Chiapas should really be part of Guatemala. Politics, culture - there is just so much to know about the country.

I found the Oxford History of Mexico useful. Each chapter is written by a different author with a different POV and historical perspective.

[AmericanPride]

lorspi said:

I did a 6 month area studies before I went to live there for 2 years. It is quite diverse. The border area is nothing like the capital. Vera Cruz has a different outlook than the rest of the country. The Yucatan is autonomous while Chiapas should really be part of Guatemala. Politics, culture - there is just so much to know about the country.

I found the Oxford History of Mexico useful. Each chapter is written by a different author with a different POV and historical perspective.

I have travelled to Mexico only once, and this a few years ago. Consequently, my experiences of what is Mexico is limited. But from what I know and understand of Mexico, I am forming the opinion that it presents a potential danger to the soft underbelly of the United States, as its policies are increasingly destructive of our well-being. From illegal activity to our dependence on foreign oil - much of which comes from Mexico - it seems we are creating conditions not conducive to perpetual cordial relations.

[LorSpi]

americanpride2 said:

I have traveled to Mexico only once, and this a few years ago. Consequently, my experiences of what is Mexico is limited. But from what I know and understand of Mexico, I am forming the opinion that it presents a potential danger to the soft underbelly of the United States, as its policies are increasingly destructive of our well-being. From illegal activity to our dependence on foreign oil - much of which comes from Mexico - it seems we are creating conditions not conducive to perpetual cordial relations.

Mexico has never been an ally of the US - quite the opposite. It has always been a hostile force but of limited force because of two factors. One: Mexicans really like Americans and there is a shared culture along the border area. Two: the source of Mexican hostility - its government - is weak, corrupt and venal. Fox is the most pro-US president Mexico has ever had. I think you just don't have any idea just how bad it was before. He has tried to turn his good relations with Americans into something he can show Mexican voters - hence his drive for the one real issue for most Mexicans - their (or someone in their family) illegal status in the US. While many Mexicans do become US citizens, a very large % simply don't want to. This % is huge when one considers all other nationalities. 40% of Mexicans legally in the US will never become US citizens. They work, raise their families and collect social security all without any intention to naturalize. The figure is single digit for any other nationality.

Mexico has begun to live up to some of its treaty obligations to the US, extradite criminals to the US and generally cooperate more with bilateral concerns. Its PRI folks remain openly hostile to the US and still are spewing out vile lies about the US. Should Fox's party (he is PAN though he was elected through a coalition not PAN directly) fail to win the next election, things really will go to hell in a hand basket. The other two parties are violently anti-American - PRI - the corrupt former ruling party of 70 years, and PRD - the left wing break off party that think PRI is too friendly with the US.

The US has to deal with Mexico simple because of the size of the border. Mexico is one of the richest Latin American countries simply because of its trade with the US. Just like Canada - it has no other trading partner to speak of. Both countries operate with chips on their shoulders while their citizens reap the benefits from the US and its easy access.