Give me your rich, northern states . . .

ARTICLE: "North and south: Why can't its stagnant southern states catch up with the rest of Mexico?" The Economist, 26 April 2008, p. 53.

The northern states of the United States of Mexico (actual name) grow far more rapido than the southern ones, and logically feature much smaller percentages of people living in poverty.

No surprise. The northern states have basically joined the United States (our official name does not include "of America") economically, but not politically.

Naturally, Mexico is divided politically too..

Eventually, the logic of expanded U.S. membership will win out. Mexico, after all, gave us plenty of states in the past.

Comments

[Santiago]

Ha! Brilliant post! I make fun of a lot of USers that I am an American, North American and from the United States...of Mexico. I've been waiting to hear more of Mexico from you, and after the "adding stars to flag" article I supposed that you would suggest annexing Mexico to the US.

I absolutely love the idea, but I suspect that there are just too many differences, mainly culturally, to permit such an easy annexation. Canada at least speaks English, as well as being protestant and such. But maybe we could build on NAFTA no? Sort of how the EU grew up around steel and coal trade? It really pains me when my compatriotas get all nationalistic about the "evil gringo influence" when they don't realize we wouldn't be a third of a country today if it wasn't for American tourists and consumers. I guess you know exactly what I mean though, I can just imagine what the minutemen would say about such an idea.

Anyway, love your writing, keep up the good work!

[William R. Cumming.]

Mexico is the hidden relationship in US foreign affairs that may dominate the rest of this century. Little understood by citizens of the US no recent book to my knowledge has really attempted to document the importance of the bilateral relationships of the US and Mexico to both countries, nor the importance of that relationship to World-wide Globalization. That effort alone would indicate that the low priority by the US foreign policy establishment given the complications of Mexican/US relationships is a tragedy for both countries and makes possible a wasteful explosive change in that relationship in this century. Just by its population and demographics Mexico deserves much more skilled attention and understanding by the foreign policy establishment of the US. This relationship is a key to the success of the US (and Mexico also) in this century. For example every major univeristy in both countries should offer a wide range of multi-disciplinary courses concerning the other, not the least language, art, literature, economics, geography etc. A complete failure of imagination in both countries academic circles.

[Michael]

The fundamental questions seem to be:Do the inhabitants of northern and southern Mexico see themselves as Mexicans? andDo they see each other as Mexicans?

The answers to those questions will determine the likelihood and ease of any transfer of sovereignity from Ciudad de Mexico to Washington D.C.