The North American idea : a vision of a continental future / Robert A. Pastor.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Pastor, Robert A.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Free trade--North America.

Free trade.

North America.

North American Free Trade Agreement (1992 December 17).

North American Free Trade Agreement.

North America--Economic integration.

Physical Description:

xix, 264 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, USA, [2011]

Summary:

"In its first seven years, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) tripled trade and quintupled foreign investment among the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, increasing its share of the world economy. In 2001, however, North America peaked. Since then, trade has slowed among the three, manufacturing has shrunk, and illegal migration and drug-related violence have soared. At the same time, Europe caught up, and China leaped ahead. In The North American Idea, eminent scholar and policymaker Robert A. Pastor explains that NAFTA's mandate was too limited to address the new North American agenda. Instead of offering bold initiatives like a customs union to expand trade, leaders of the three nations thought small. Interest groups stalemated the small ideas while inhibiting the bolder proposals, and the governments accomplished almost nothing. To overcome this resistance and reinvigorate the continent, the leaders need to start with an idea based on a principle of interdependence. Pastor shows how this idea--once woven into the national consciousness of the three countries--could mobilize public support for continental solutions to problems like infrastructure and immigration that have confounded each nation working on its own. Providing essential historical context and challenging readers to view the continent in a new way, The North American Idea combines an expansive vision with a detailed blueprint for a more integrated, dynamic, and equitable North America"--Provided by publisher.

"In The North American Idea, eminent scholar and policy-maker Robert A. Pastor dissects the failure of NAFTA and argues that, to re-invigorate North America's economy, our leaders need to start with an idea based on a principle of interdependence. If one country fails, all three are harmed, and if one grows, they all benefit. Drawing on first-hand experience as a policy-maker and analyst, Pastor shows how this idea--once woven into the national consciousness of the three countries--could mobilize public support for continental solutions to problems that have confounded each nation working on its own"--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Machine generated contents note:

Foreword

Part I: Should We Fear North America?

Chapter 1: A Pi©łata for Pandering Pundits

Chapter 2: North America's Genetic Code

Chapter 3: Who Speaks for North America?

Part II: Trespassing

Chapter 4: Transcending the Borders

Chapter 5: Speed Bumps, Potholes, and Roadblocks on the NAFTA Superhighway

Part III: The North American Imperative

Chapter 6: A North American Community

A Vision

Chapter 7: New Policies for North America's 21st Century

A Blueprint

Acknowledgements.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780199782413

0199782415

OCLC:

704556990