On The Rim Of Mexico : Encounters Of The Rich And Poor

The vast stretch of mostly arid lands and deserts that makes up the border between Mexico and the United States is not only one of the longest international boundaries in the world, setting apart two entirely different countries for more than two thousand miles, it is the backdrop for a seemingly endless series of major binational news stories. Witness the headline-grabbing attention garnered by NAFTA and the global economy; the assembly plants labeled saviors of the Mexican poor; the accounts applauding the capture of Mexican drug lords; and the columns upon columns devoted to stories about illegal immigration. Nowhere else does a poor, Third World country, like Mexico, share a common border with a wealthy, powerful neighbor __del otro lado__ (on the other side). Here, as one goes, so goes the other.__On the Rim of Mexico: Encounters of the Rich and Poor__ addresses the ties and asymmetries across the Mexico-U.S. border, from Tijuana/San Diego to Matamoros/Brownsville. Based on author Ramón Eduardo Ruiz’s extensive research, travels, remembrances, and first-hand interviews with the people on the Mexican side, the book probes the history, economics, and customs which have shaped this region today. While the author considers many timely issues (the impact of drug trafficking, legal and illegal immigration, assembly plants and the global economy, and the ecological disaster in the making), the book is also an examination of the borderlands themselves: what they are, how they came to be, and salient aspects of life in this region of the world. Moreover, it is an exploration of binational themes. For Mexicans who live and die next door to the almighty Uncle Sam, nearly everything has a binational ring—even personal identity. __On the Rim of Mexico__ is a moving portrait of the people, places, and issues which make-up border life today.

on The Rim Of Mexico: encounters Of The Rich And Poor addresses The Ties And Asymmetries Across The Mexico-u.s. Border, From Tijuana/san Diego To Matamoros/brownsville. Based On Author Ramón Eduardo Ruiz’s Extensive Research, Travels, Remembrances, And First-hand Interviews With The People On The Mexican Side, The Book Probes The History, Economics, And Customs Which Have Shaped This Region Today. While The Author Considers Many Timely Issues (the Impact Of Drug Trafficking, Legal And Illegal Immigration, Assembly Plants And The Global Economy, And The Ecological Disaster In The Making), The Book Is Also An Examination Of The Borderlands Themselves: What They Are, How They Came To Be, And Salient Aspects Of Life In This Region Of The World. on The Rim Of Mexico Is A Moving Portrait Of The People, Places, And Issues Which Make-up Border Life Today.

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most Border Studies Deal Primarily With Current Economic And Political Issues. Ruiz, A Respected Historian Of Mexican History And Professor Emeritus Of Latin American History At The University Of California At San Diego, Instead Brings The Current Political And Economic Situation Into Historical Perspective While Focusing On The Mexican Side Of The Border. Combining History And Current Events, The Author Provides An Understanding And Approach To The Borderlands Region Not Found In Other Volumes. Issues Of Current Interest Are Examined, Such As Immigration, The Economy (e.g., The Effects Of The Recent Nafta Agreement), And Ecology, Among Others. The Book Is Academic But Has A Warmth And Character Resulting From The Author's Years Of Experience Living In And Studying The Dual Worlds Along The Border. Of Value To Academic Libraries And Public Libraries In The Southwest.--mark L. Grover, Brigham Young Univ., Provo, Ut

The vast stretch of mostly arid lands and deserts that makes up the border between Mexico and the United States is not only one of the longest international boundaries in the world, setting apart two entirely different countries for more than two thousand miles, it is the backdrop for a seemingly endless series of major binational news stories. Witness the headline-grabbing attention garnered by NAFTA and the global economy; the assembly plants labeled saviors of the Mexican poor; the accounts applauding the capture of Mexican drug lords; and the columns upon columns devoted to stories about illegal immigration. Nowhere else does a poor, Third World country, like Mexico, share a common border with a wealthy, powerful neighbor del otro lado (on the other side). Here, as one goes, so goes the other. On the Rim of Mexico: Encounters of the Rich and Poor addresses the ties and asymmetries across the Mexico-U.S. border, from Tijuana/San Diego to Matamoros/Brownsville. Based on author Ramón Eduardo Ruiz’s extensive research, travels, remembrances, and first-hand interviews with the people on the Mexican side, the book probes the history, economics, and customs which have shaped this region today. While the author considers many timely issues (the impact of drug trafficking, legal and illegal immigration, assembly plants and the global economy, and the ecological disaster in the making), the book is also an examination of the borderlands themselves: what they are, how they came to be, and salient aspects of life in this region of the world. Moreover, it is an exploration of binational themes. For Mexicans who live and die next door to the almighty Uncle Sam, nearly everything has a binational ring—even personal identity. On the Rim of Mexico is a moving portrait of the people, places, and issues which make-up border life today. On the Rim of Mexico addresses the ties and asymmetries across the U.S.-Mexico border, from Tijuana/San Diego to Matamoros/Brownsville. Based on author Ramon Eduardo Ruiz's extensive research, travels, remembrances, and first-hand interviews with the people on the Mexican side, the book probes the history, economics, and customs that have shaped this region today. While the author considers many timely issues (the impact of drug trafficking, legal and illegal immigration, assembly plants and the global economy, and the ecological disaster in the making), the book is also an examination of the borderlands themselves: what they are, how they came to be, and salient aspects of life in this region of the world. Cover -- Half Title -- Title -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- Preface -- Part One Mexicans and Their Neighbors -- 1 The Shifty Peso -- 2 Asymmetry -- 3 Black Legend -- 4 The Global Economy -- 5 The Disparate Society -- 6 Identity -- Part Two Binational Dimensions -- 7 Unwelcome Strangers -- 8 La Migra -- 9 La MaldiciÃ3n -- 10 Man Against Nature -- 11 Dependency -- Sources -- Index Contents 8 Preface 12 Part One: Mexicans and Their Neighbors 16 1 The Shifty Peso 18 2 Asymmetry 34 3 Black Legend 57 4 The Global Economy 76 5 The Disparate Society 98 6 Identity 115 Part Two: Binational Dimensions 140 7 Unwelcome Strangers 142 8 La Migra 163 9 La Maldición 184 10 Man Against Nature 209 11 Dependency 232 Sources 250 Index 262 To cite a bit of wisdom from Mexico, when Mexican shoppers fill the stores of American border cities, something is dreadfully wrong with the economy.