Summary
This work documents how Canada and Mexico offer the United States open markets for its investments and exports, massive flows of skilled and unskilled labour, and vast resource inputs— all of which boost its size and competitiveness — more than does any other US partner. They are also Uncle Sam's most important allies in supporting its anti-terrorist and anti-narcotics security. Clarkson and Mildenberger explain the paradox of these two countries' simultaneous importance and powerlessness by showing how the US government has systematically neutralized their potential influence.
Contents
Part I. Growing the United States' Economy – 1. Making the US economy bigger and more competitive – 2. Supporting and impeding US energy security – 3. Constructing the US labour market –
Part II. Building US security – 4. Continental defence: extending the United States' military perimeter -- 5. Building US homeland security against the terrorist threat – 6. Constructing and constraining US narcotics security –
Part III. Constructing and Constraining the Reach of US Power – 7. Supporting the governance base for US international economic power – 8. Thwarting the United States in international criminal law – 9. Offsetting the US embargo of revolutionary Cuba – Conclusion : peripheral visions.