The growth of Mexican Studies at Harvard reflects trends in both countries and in U.S.-Mexican relations. Since the 1980s, the government of Mexico has opened the country's economy, sought a new and closer relationship with the United States and gradually but effectively transitioned to a more democratic and competitive political system.

During these same two decades, the United States embraced the creation of a North American Free Trade Area (including Canada as well as Mexico), adopted more flexible (though still restrictive) immigration policies, aided Mexico's recovery from a sharp recession and welcomed Mexican official cooperation in addressing common problems from border pollution to illegal drug interdiction.

The movement of capital, commodities, people and ideas between the United States and Mexico has increased dramatically with far-reaching consequences for both. As the two countries grew closer, research and teaching on Mexico in the United States has taken on a new importance and even urgency.

Read more in the Mexican Studies Report.