United States national security interests and the Repubic of Mexico.

Abstract

The implications of the term "national interest" have recently been under debate among those involved in foreign policy decision making. The word "interest" derives from the Latin meaning "it concerns, it makes a difference to, it is important with reference to some person or thing." The difficulties and complexity of defining the national interest has caused many analysts of the foreign policy process to turn away from the concept altogether in spite of the fact that the term remains a part of the rhetoric of foreign policy. The basic premise here is that foreign policy should be concerned with the ability to achieve the national interest rather than with any strict definition of a complex concept. The thesis of this study is that although United States- Mexican relations have been founded on historical ties and the sharing of a 2,000 mile border, the long-term development of the relationship will depend on the U.S. acceptance of Mexico as not just another country, but as a neighbor whose interests and problems must be recognized and dealt with within the scope of mutual interests and in pursuit of U.S. national interests.