Mexican petroleum: catalyst for a new relationship between the United States and Mexico

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6467315

Millor, M R

If a factor were to be singled out as a useful means to understand U.S.-Mexico relations during the twentieth century, that factor most likely would be petroleum. Ownership, exploitation, and commercialization of the Mexican petroleum industry have been at the fore of some of the most-intense episodes of conflict and cooperation between the two countries since the beginning of the century. At stake have been issues such as Mexico's economic and political independence, the reach of American power in its sphere of influence, and the friction between national and private interests in the United States. This study analyzes the overall impact of Mexico's newly flourishing petroleum industry on Mexican development, and on the relations between the United States and Mexico. Since the mid-1970's, the existence of hugh reserves of oil and natural gas in southeastern Mexico has brought about a radical reassessment of these relations, in terms of: a new delineation of the goals and expectations of both nations vis a vis each other; and a new perception, by both, of the national capabilities of Mexico. The operational context is complex. Petroleum circumscribes an assortment of issues as yet unresolved between the United States and Mexico, and it is a watershed in bilteral relations. For the United States, it means a change in its conduct and patterns of action towards Mexico and, for the latter, a definition of its project as a nation.

• OSTI ID: 6467315
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
021000 -- Petroleum-- Legislation & Regulations
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294002* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOREIGN POLICY
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
LATIN AMERICA
MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
PETROLEUM
TRADE
USA