Book Description

Not since the early nineteenth century, when California was still part of Mexico, have there been such close ties between Mexico and its former northern territory. Today, one Californian in five is of Mexican heritage, compared with fewer than one in ten in 1970. California is Mexico's second-largest trading partner (after Texas), and Mexico is California's second-largest export market (after Japan). Millions of people from southern California and northern Mexico engage each day in an intricate web of transactions in which the border is much less significant than shared aims and interactions. California's growing Mexican connection shapes the state's life in many ways other than economic: from culture to cuisine, schools to boardrooms, workplace to voting booth. This book is the first in any language to explore the nature, scope, and effects of the California-Mexico connection. It analyzes the movements of people, goods, money, politics, and culture across the California-Mexico border, and explores its implications for both parties. By bringing together experts on Mexico, California, and the issue areas where they intersect, the fourteen papers in this book not only describe and analyze the connection but consider how Mexicans and Californians can help assure that the connection's effects are more consistently and mutually positive. The book is in four parts. Part I situates the California-Mexico connection in comparative and theoretical terms, and provides an overview from the Mexican perspective on the mutual impact of California and Mexico. Part II outlines demographic, economic, political, and social changes in Mexico and how they are affecting California. Part III focuses on Mexico's presence within California and its impact on society, education, health, labor, politics, and the economy. Part IV analyzes what can be done - by Mexicans and Californians - to strengthen the positive effects of the California-Mexico connection.