The University of Arizona Press
Border Economies
Cities Bridging the U.S.-Mexico Divide
Enormous legal cross-border flows of people, goods, and finance are embedded in the region’s history and prompted by the need to respond to new opportunities and challenges that originate on the other side. In Border Economies James Gerber examines how the interactivity and sensitivity of communities to conditions across the border differentiates them from communities in the interiors of Mexico and the United States. Gerber explains what makes the region not only unique but uniquely interesting.
In Border Economies readers who want to understand the conditions that make the border controversial but also want to go beyond shallow political narratives will find an in-depth exploration of the economic forces shaping the region and an antidote to common prejudices and misunderstandings.
“Border Economies is the most comprehensive economic analysis of the U.S.-Mexico border. It is a must-read book for anyone that wants to understand the economic environment of the region.”—David Molina, economist
“Provides four historical narratives that show how specific economic sectors developed in response to changes occurring across the border, covering histories of border tourism, agriculture and water sharing, retailing, and manufacturing from a binational perspective of crossborder interdependence.”—Journal of Economic Literature
“With Jim Gerber’s expertise and insightful analysis, this book will be essential for expanding one’s understanding of the economic forces shaping the U.S.-Mexico borderlands and the importance of imagined futures to fight prejudice and stigmatization while building a better, more integrated border.”—Journal of Borderland Studies
“Border Economies speaks to a wide audience of scholars, students, experts, and policymakers interested in the U.S.-Mexico border, offering a way to move beyond simplistic and biased narratives to grasp the complex economic forces shaping this fascinating transboundary region. The book will also appeal to urban and economic geographers, given Gerber’s attention to the spatial dimensions of economic phenomena and his careful focus on the twin cities [San Diego and Tijuana].”—Christophe Sohn, AAG Review of Books
