Economia del Mundo y su capital San Tijuana: Mario Lopez at TEDxTijuana
Mario Lopez argues that the US-Mexico border area has the potential to form a "Mexica"—a new, economically vibrant state—by embracing cooperative policies modeled after China's development strategies, which centers on enhancing educational exchange. The central evidence supporting this is the comparative data showing the ten border states' strong economic potential, juxtaposed with educational exchange opportunities, specifically through increasing student movement between the US and Mexico.
## Speakers & Context
- **Mario Lopez** — Speaker, native to both US and Mexican cultures/languages.
- Talk is addressing the "realities about the border economy" and proposing an "imagination" for the future of the region.
- The talk was given in a context where attending parties include the "border Governor's Conference" (an international body of Governors).
- A proposed follow-up action is for attendees to sign a petition.
## Theses & Positions
- The border region represents *"the most economically socially culturally vibrant area in the world,"* and this potential must be embraced with action.
- A new political/economic entity, called *"Mexica"*, should be established encompassing the four US border states and the six Mexican states.
- The primary mechanism for realizing this new state should be building robust cross-border collaboration, particularly in education and student exchange.
- A new vision for the border must move beyond superficial "photo ops" toward tangible structural support.
## Concepts & Definitions
- **Mexica** — A proposed new country encompassing the ten border states (four US, six Mexican states).
- **Twin City Projects** — Specific to the border, highlighting successful collaborative areas like San Diego and Tijuana.
- **One Country Two Systems** — China's historical and economic policy model, noted as a key strategy for economic development.
- **Border Economy** — The system and realities of commerce, culture, and life situated along the international border.
## Mechanisms & Processes
- **Economic Measurement:** The border states' collective GDP was noted in 2009 by the border Governors' Conference, with the region ranking as the world's third economy in 2006.
- **China's Growth Strategy:** Economic mobility achieved by opening up, moving from five-year structural programs to private investment; creating Foreign Trade Zones along the coast.
- **Policy Replication:** Proposing that the "one country two systems" approach, combined with investment in education, guides the Mexica's development.
- **Education Focus:** Emphasizing increasing student exchange as a key economic opportunity, contrasting the current North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) focus on goods with human capital.
## Timeline & Sequence
- **Period of observation:** Last 15 years (when Lopez was born/lived in border cultures).
- **Historical Milestone:** Border Governors' Conference released data in **2009** showing border states' GDP.
- **Peak Economic Ranking:** Border states were the world's third economy in **2006**.
- **Modern Comparison Point:** China's continuous economic output growth averaging **ten percent annual growth for 30 years**.
- **Political Event (Past):** The border was subject to heightened security focus following **9/11**, leading to lengthy wait times for crossers.
## Named Entities
- **Mexico** — The central focus of the proposed new country identity.
- **Mexica** — The proposed name for the new border nation.
- **Tijuana** — Specific city cited as a core location for border life.
- **San Diego** — Specific city cited as a core location for border life.
- **China** — Model country cited for economic development strategies.
- **Hong Kong** — Example of a successful "special treatment" economic zone in China.
- **Macau** — Example of a successful "special treatment" economic zone in China.
- **Nixon** — Associated with the administration that helped China open to the West.
## Numbers & Data
- **Border States' Ranking:** Third economy in the world in **2006** (US, Japan being the other two).
- **Border States' Ranking (Current):** Fifth in the world economy (as of the data presented).
- **GDP Comparison (Projected):** Mexica ranked just behind Japan and ahead of Germany in GDP.
- **Mexico's World Ranking:** Ranked **86** globally for GDP.
- **Mexico's Population Status:** Its population size puts it in the **13th most populous country** in the world.
- **Spanish Speakers:** Projected **78 million** people in the region, making it the second most populous country where Spanish is spoken.
- **China Growth Rate:** Average of **ten percent annual growth for 30 years**.
- **US University Students in China (2011):** The number placed China at **Number 1**.
- **US University Students in Mexico:** **13,000** students (compared to Nepal's 10,000).
- **Student Exchange Opportunity:** Highlighting the gap between student exchange in the US/Mexico/Canada bloc versus the number of goods traded via NAFTA.
## Examples & Cases
- **The Border as Reality:** Daily crossing by **50,000 people** across the border, functioning as if *"there's really no border."*
- **Modern Border Image:** The reality is characterized by goods flowing back and forth across the border (trucks, commodities, merchandise).
- **Media Portrayal Contrast:** News media often portrays the border through negative lenses (policing, dangers, undocumented crossings) rather than economic function.
- **US Model:** California's economic development since the 1960s, built on education, established the UC system and over **40 federal research R&D labs**.
- **China Model:** The "special treatment" given to Hong Kong and Macau allowed them to promote economic development independently for a hundred years.
## Tools, Tech & Products
- None specified beyond general infrastructure (roads, universities).
## References Cited
- *Book* by an unnamed writer on border issues and negative aspects.
- **Border Governors' Conference** — International body responsible for strategic guidelines.
## Trade-offs & Alternatives
- **NAFTA vs. Education Exchange:** The massive flow of goods via NAFTA is contrasted with the untapped potential of student exchange.
- **Focus Areas:** Choosing to emphasize education and cross-border systemic linking over purely economic policy modeling.
## Counterarguments & Caveats
- The negative portrayal of the border by media (e.g., "foreign wars" type shows) distracts from the economic reality.
- Acknowledging that the initial premise of the border is often misunderstood or sensationalized.
## Methodology
- Comparative historical analysis (China vs. Border Region).
- Macroeconomic data citation (GDP rankings, population statistics).
- Policy recommendation framework: Structural change via educational institutional linking.
## Conclusions & Recommendations
- **Three specific actions proposed:**
1. Agree on the creation of a new state, the Mexica (petition mentioned).
2. Create a new vision for the border.
3. Propose strategic actions focused on linking institutions, specifically through education and student exchange.
## Implications & Consequences
- Implementing educational exchange policies (like students going back and forth) could unlock massive economic potential comparable to the NAFTA commerce flow.
- Adopting a systemic, collaborative policy framework, rather than waiting for external political decisions, is necessary for the region's prosperity.
## Verbatim Moments
- *"It's going to go back and forth along the border as it is for many of us... there's really no border for a big deal."*
- *"I want to propose to you today that we are seeing the birth of a new country. It's a country that I'm going to call it a Mexico."*
- *"This is the most important CDs twin city projects along the border and that's where we live right now."*
- *"the ten border states when were the world's third economy."*
- *"the new on Mexica is right behind japan and ahead of germany as far as GDP."*
- *"China has done an enormous effort of economic growth economic change economic mobility."*
- *"the policy of one country two different systems."*
- *"it's what is happening when you look at the difference of the numbers... this is one economic I think opportunities that nobody's really looking at."*
- *"the key moment for China was not only for myself record it was in the 1970s when its leader Deng Xiaoping this cited to open up to the west."*
- *"what I would propose to do for you and we do today Schedule III yet I choose to move forward three specific actions..."*