IS 5355A
MODERN MEXICO

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVES

This course provides the student with an in-depth introduction to modern Mexico. Topics include Mexican culture, history, the political system, and the economy. Designed foremost to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of Mexico's political economy, the majority of the material focuses on the political and economic systems and how they have interacted with each other in the context of a changing international environment.

After examining the nature of the political system and how the Mexican state interacts with important societal groups including business and labor, attention shifts to the economy and how government policy has changed radically in the past fifteen years. The final topics focus on how the business sector, both domestic and multinational, has reacted to these changes affecting the business environment. The student is expected to be able to explain and analyze the topics covered in class, with special emphasis on how each affects (or has affected) the business environment in today's Mexico.

COURSE READINGS

The following books are required reading and can be found in the T-bird bookstore:

Distant Neighbors: A Portrait of the Mexicans. Alan Riding (New York: Vintage Books, 1989).

NAFTA: An Assessment (revised edition). Gary Hufbauer and Jeffrey Schott (Washington, DC: Institute for International Economics, 1993).

Industrial Restructuring in Mexico. Maria de los Angeles Pozas (San Diego: Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies, University of California at San Diego, 1993).

Exports and Local Development: Mexico 's New Maquiladoras. Patricia Wilson (Austin: University of Texas Press, 1992).

In addition, a coursepack with required readings can also be purchased in the bookstore.

Readings indicated with a "#" are found on reserve in the library (IBIC). Further readings may be assigned as needed.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students are expected to attend all classes and complete reading assignments by the day that they are assigned.

Exams

The course will have a midterm and final exam. The format for each will be discussed at a later date. Each exam must be taken on the date indicated unless the student obtains prior approval. Exams neither taken nor excused will be given a zero. Should a make-up exam be given, the instructor reserves the right to change both the format and the content of the exam. No extra-credit work will be given.

Papers/Presentations

A research paper leading to an in-class presentation is required. The exact topic(s) will be discussed in class at a later date.

Participation

Participation in class discussions and other class activities is an important component of the course. While attendance is important, your physical presence does not substitute for Participation.

Grading

The final course grade will be determined as follows:

COURSE SCHEDULE

Sept. 3:

Introduction

Sept. 5:

Culture
READ: Riding, Ch. 1, 12.

Sept. 10:

History and Culture
READ: Riding, Ch. 2, 3.

Sept. 12:

The Political System - overview
READ: Riding, Ch. 4.

Sept. 17:

The Political System - the bureaucracy
READ: Centeno Ch. 4-6

Sept. 19:

State-Societal Relations
READ: None

Sept. 24:

The Government and Labor
READ: Samstad and Collier in Roett (Ch. 2).

Sept. 26:

The Business Sector
READ: # Camp, Ch. 6-8.

Oct. 1:

The Business Sector - continued
READ: Torres, Wall Street Journal, "Mexican Restructuring of Firms' Debt..."

The Economist, "Slim Competition"
DePalma, New York Times, "How a Tortilla Empire Was Built..." (and the letter to the editor that follows)
Millman, Washington Post, "Mexico's Billionaire Boom. "

Oct. 3:

The Party System
READ: Riding, Ch. 5.

Oct. 8:

Political Reform
READ: "A Survey of Mexico," the Economist ("The End is Nigh", "Between PAN and Pandemonium")

Alcocer in Roett (Ch. 4).

Oct. 10:

The Economy - The Evolution of Macroeconomic Policy Prior to 1982
READ: Riding, Ch. 7.

Teichman. Ch 2-5

Oct. 15:

The De la Madrid Administration: Crisis and Adjustment, 1982-1988
READ: None

Oct. 17:

EXAM

Oct. 22:

Return and Review of Exam

Oct. 24:

The Salinas Years (1988-1994) - "The Remaking of an Economy"
READ: TBA

Oct 29:

Structural Adjustment: Trade Liberalization
READ: TBA

Oct 31:

Structural Adjustment: Privatization and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
READ: TBA

Nov. 5:

The Current Crisis
READ: "Summers on Mexico..." and

"A Survey of Mexico" (rest of articles) in the Economist

Nov. 7:

NAFTA- History and Content
READ: Hufbauer/Schott, Ch. 1-3.

Nov. 12:

NAFTA Content - FDI, The Side Agreements
READ: Hufbauer/Schott, Ch. 4-5 Addendum.

Nov. 14:

NAFTA and Its (Possible) Effects
READ: Sterngold, New York Times, "In NAFTA's Complex Trade-Off,..."

Nov. 19:

Micro Level Responses to Policy Reform - Domestic Firms
READ: Pozas, all.

Nov. 21:

Micro Level Responses to Policy Reform - Multinational Firms
READ: DePalma, New York Times, "An Auto Sea Change in Mexico"

Myerson, New York Times, "Out of a Crisis, an Opportunity..."

Nov. 26.:

The Maquiladora Sector
READ: Wilson, all.

Dec. 3- 10:

Student Presentations

Dec. 12:

Conclusion: The Challenges Ahead

FINAL EXAM:

Dec. 18