ABSTRACT
It would be inappropriate simply to end this book with the final paper for in no sense has our long-term task been completed, even though the papers presented here mark a huge step toward mutual understanding. Instead of dwelling on where we have been, however, I should like to close this volume by pointing to where we wish to go. The U.S. and Mexico: Borderland Development and the National Economies, like its predecessor, Regional Impacts of United States-Mexico Economic Relations, comes from an on-going collaboration between. scholars in the two countries. I emphasize the word ongoing to reflect the fact that the business of exploring issues and topics of mutual concern is not something that can be outlined at one or two planning meetings, developed at a major conference, and then summarized in a single book—or even in two books. The task of building a dialogue between scholars with often markedly different perspectives is a long-term proposition. Any collaboration, and ours is no exception, starts slowly. There is an initial period where individuals simply get to know one another and where scholarly concerns are mapped out in general and often tentative terms. This initial stage is followed by a second one which demands clarification of terms, the opening of channels of communication, and the often uncomfortable task of coming to grips with questions of national pride, personal conviction and other matters of substantial delicacy.
