Synopses & Reviews
Fronteras No Mas treats the U.S.-Mexico border as an opportune space in which residents address their common interests in a clean environment, better wages and trade, and respect for human rights. Since NAFTA, more transnational institutions and policies have emerged, facilitating the growth of civil society, such as community-based and nonprofit organizations. Yet cross-border organizing remains a challenging and complex version of local politics: residents live and work within a region of vast economic equalities and markedly different governments. The authors offer a civic blueprint on ways to enhance cooperation, given the continuing interdependence of this North American space at the border.
Review
"...an interesting book about cross-border cooperation, networks, and organizations at the US-Mexico border."--P.Vila, Choice
"...a most accurate portrayal of border life...[for anyone] who wants to know more about it..."--Diana Valdez, El Paso Times
Synopsis
Fronteras No Mas examines the range of officials, non-government organizations, networks and remaining organizational vacuums that span the U.S. - Mexico border. Since NAFTA, more binational institutions and policies have emerged around the environment, business, and the labor force. This 'institutional shroud' facilitates the growth of civil society, yet cross-border organizing remains a challenging and complex version of local politics. Residents live and work within a region of vast economic inequalities and markedly different governments. The authors offer a civic blueprint on ways to enhance cooperation, given the almost certain future of increased interdependence in this North American space.
About the Author
Kathleen Staudt is Professor of Political Science and the Director of the Center for Civic Engagement at the University of Texas at El Paso. She is the author of ten books including
Free Trade? Informal Economies at the U.S-Mexico Border(1998).
Irasema Coronado is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at El Paso.
Table of Contents
Introduction * Historical Background and Comparative Border Perspectives * Policy/Issue Areas * Labor and Employment * Immigration * Human Rights * Business and Commerce * Environment and Health * Conclusions and Future Blueprints