Premium
Mexico–United States Border Security: From a Bilateral to a Truly Binational Policy Process
Author(s) -
Bronk Christopher,
GonzálezAréchiga Bernardo
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
latin american policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.195
H-Index - 4
eISSN - 2041-7373
pISSN - 2041-7365
DOI - 10.1111/j.2041-7373.2011.00038.x
Subject(s) - border security , national security , work (physics) , political science , organised crime , process (computing) , transformative learning , public administration , buffer zone , business , externality , international trade , economics , law , sociology , geography , engineering , pedagogy , mechanical engineering , archaeology , computer science , microeconomics , operating system
This study advocates for a transformative expansion of collaboration between the governments of Mexico and the United States directed at enhancing security in the border region. Protecting security on both sides of the border should be the top priority of all collaboration efforts. With a binational narco‐crisis and the border functioning as a buffer zone, there is a need to bring new ideas forward in ameliorating the externalities produced by the international narcotics and weapons trade. The authors argue that there is no “lesser crime” and that all illegal activity strengthens organized crime in the end. They identify major security problems, prior attempts at remedy, and a roadmap to shared work in formulating and implementing prescriptions. Advocated here is a need for strong border coordinators in each country—based on the border but reaching into the national capitals—that will share staff, resources, planning responsibilities, and intelligence.