Two Nations Indivisible: Mexico, the United States, and the Road Ahead (Council on Foreign Relations (Oxford))

A lawless border shootout with American guns in Mexican hands. Tragic stories of immigrants dying in the desert while heading north . Decapitations, kidnappings, and body counts. These sorts of grim tales dominate the media, infiltrate movies and TV shows, and ultimately shape Americans ' perception of Mexico as a dangerous country , overrun by brutal drug lords. Without a doubt, the drug war is real. In the last six years, more than 60,000 people have been murdered in narco-related crimes. But there is far more to Mexico ' s story than this gruesome narrative would suggest. Hidden behind the headlines is a more hopeful Mexico, one undergoing rapid and widespread social, political, and economic transformations. It is one of a globally competitive economy, a rising middle class, and increasingly influential pro-democracy voters. It is a thriving Mexico whose people, communities, companies, and commerce are intricately tied to the United States. In her groundbreaking book, Two Nations Indivisible , Shannon K. O ' Neil argues that the United States is making a grave mistake by focusing on the politics of antagonism toward Mexico. Rather, America should wake up to the revolution of prosperity now unfolding there. This is the Mexico Americans need to get to know. Now more than ever, the two countries are indivisible. It is past time for the United States to forge a new relationship with its southern neighbor. I n no uncertain terms, America's future depends on it.
Five freshly decapitated human heads are thrown onto a crowded dance floor in western Mexico. A Mexican drug cartel dismembers the body of a rival and then stitches his face onto a soccer ball. These are the sorts of grisly tales that dominate the media, infiltrate movies and TV shows, and ultimately shape Americans' perception of Mexico as a dangerous and scary place, overrun by brutal drug lords.

Without a doubt, the drug war is real. In the last six years, over 60,000 people have been murdered in narco-related crimes. But, there is far more to Mexico's story than this gruesome narrative would suggest.

While thugs have been grabbing the headlines, Mexico has undergone an unprecedented and under-publicized political, economic, and social transformation. In her groundbreaking book, Two Nations Indivisible, Shannon K. O'Neil argues that the United States is making a grave mistake by focusing on the politics of antagonism toward Mexico. Rather, we should wake up to the revolution of prosperity now unfolding there.

The news that isn't being reported is that, over the last decade, Mexico has become a real democracy, providing its citizens a greater voice and opportunities to succeed on their own side of the border. Armed with higher levels of education, upwardly-mobile men and women have been working their way out of poverty, building the largest, most stable middle class in Mexico's history.

This is the Mexico Americans need to get to know. Now more than ever, the two countries are indivisible. It is past time for the U.S. to forge a new relationship with its southern neighbor. Because in no uncertain terms, our future depends on it.

"Five freshly decapitated human heads are thrown onto a crowded dance floor in western Mexico. A Mexican drug cartel dismembers the body of a rival and then stitches his face onto a soccer ball. These are the sorts of grisly tales that dominate the media, infiltrate movies and TV shows, and ultimately shape Americans' perception of Mexico as a dangerous and scary place, overrun by brutal drug lords. Without a doubt, the drug war is real. In the last six years, over 60,000 people have been murdered in narco-related crimes. But, there is far more to Mexico's story than this gruesome narrative would suggest. While thugs have been grabbing the headlines, Mexico has undergone an unprecedented and under-publicized political, economic, and social transformation. In her groundbreaking book, Two Nations Indivisible, Shannon K. O'Neil argues that the United States is making a grave mistake by focusing on the politics of antagonism toward Mexico. Rather, we should wake up to the revolution of prosperity now unfolding there. The news that isn't being reported is that, over the last decade, Mexico has become a real democracy, providing its citizens a greater voice and opportunities to succeed on their own side of the border. Armed with higher levels of education, upwardly-mobile men and women have been working their way out of poverty, building the largest, most stable middle class in Mexico's history. This is the Mexico Americans need to get to know. Now more than ever, the two countries are indivisible. It is past time for the U.S. to forge a new relationship with its southern neighbor. Because in no uncertain terms, our future depends on it."--Publisher's website. A lawless border shootout with American guns in Mexican hands. Tragic stories of immigrants dying in the desert while heading northDecapitations, kidnappings, and body counts. These sorts of tales dominate the media, infiltrate movies and TV shows, and ultimately shape Americans perception of Mexico as a dangerous , overrun by brutal drug lords. Without a doubt, the drug war is real. In the last six years, 60,000 people have been murdered in narco-related crimes. But there is far more to Mexicos story than this gruesome narrative would suggest. Hidden behind the headlines is a more hopeful Mexico, one undergoing rapid and widespread social, political, and economic transformations. It is one of a globally competitive economy, a rising middle class, and increasingly influential pro-democracy voters. It is a thriving Mexico whose people, communities, companies, and commerce are intricately tied to the United States.In her groundbreaking book, __Two Nations Indivisible__, Shannon K. ONeil argues that the United States is making a grave mistake by focusing on the politics of antagonism toward Mexico. Rather, should wake up to the revolution of prosperity now unfolding there. This is the Mexico Americans need to get to know. Now more than ever, the two countries are indivisible. It is past time for the to forge a new relationship with its southern neighbor. n no uncertain terms, future depends on it. Cover; Contents; Map; Acknowledgments; Preface: The "Real" Mexico; 1 MEXICO AT THE CROSSROAD; 2 REENVISIONING U.S.-MEXICO DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS; 3 IMMIGRATION'S BINDING TIES; 4 MEXICO'S LONELY STRUGGLE FOR DEMOCRACY; 5 CROSS-BORDER DREAMS: MEXICO'S GROWING MIDDLE CLASS; 6 MEXICO'S RISING INSECURITY: A REAL ILLNESS WITH THE WRONG PRESCRIPTION; 7 DECIDING OUR MUTUAL FUTURE; EPILOGUE: THE RETURN OF THE PRI; Notes; Bibliography; Index; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; R; S; T; U; V; W; Y; Z "In her groundbreaking book, Two Nationals Indivisible, Shannon K. O'Neil argues that the United States is making a grave mistake by focusing on the politics of antagonism toward Mexico. Rather, America should wake up to the revolution of prosperity now unfolding here." -- Inside cover