Relaciones internacionales.indb - HOMINES

SOCIOLOGICAL VIEW AND THEORY OF SUBORDINATE INTEGRATION...
neo-liberal world order,” has helped in materializing an alarming worldwide
social decomposition, a trend that runs parallel to the growth of
integration (and democratic elections). At times, one is not sure anymore
if the “global community” is in fact moving towards a period of enormous
prosperity, or if instead, we are all rushing to ride and hang on to a ship
on the verge of sinking forever.
Several things seem to be certain. To begin with, NAFTA, integration
or “regionalization” in North America are here to stay during the rest of
the 90s and also into the 21st century.
The fundamental question to be asked is if “integration” can really be
considered a genuine long-term development strategy for the greater part
of humanity; or if instead it is only a temporary instrument of growth for
multinational corporations in crisis. 59 At this juncture, empirical research
and case studies can throw much light on what integration shall offer to
the global community. Reactions of farmer communities in Mexico in
early 1994, and the reaction of labor groups in United States and Canada
in 1993, are signs of things come. On the other hand, politicians, much
of government, as well as a huge number of businessmen and businesswomen
in Mexico, United States, and Canada endorse and back NAFTA
and free-trade agreements in the Americas. The fact that this is not mere
rhetoric, as in the past, is incredible, and this is definitely what makes of
integration today a whole new situation. 60
59
a) Brenda Dalglish, “Partners in Power,” Mac Lean’s, USA, Dec. 14, 1992, pp.
28-30.
b) Deirdre McMurdy, “Free Trade to The Rescue,” Mac Lean’s, USA, Dec. 14,
1992, p. 32.
c) John Daly, ”The Junking of America,” Mac Lean’s, USA, Dec. 14, 1992, pp.
34-35.
d) Deirdre McMurdy, “Ready, Set-Go Mexico Puts Out the Welcome Mat,” Mac
Lean’s, USA, Dec. 14, 1992, pp. 36-37.
60
a) Mónica Hirst, “Condicionantes y motivaciones del proceso de integración y
fragmentación en
América Latina,” Integración Latinoamericana, Año 17, No. 175, INTAL,
Buenos Aires, enero-feb. 1992, pp. 19-31.
b) Daniel Chudnovsky, “El futuro de la integración hemisférica: El Mercosur
y la Iniciativa para Las Américas,” Desarrollo Económico, IDES, No. 128,
Vol. 32, Buenos Aires, Jan.-March, 1993, pp. 483-511.
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