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Book Launch: "Mañana Forever?: Mexico and the Mexicans"

The Mexico Institute was glad to host renowned author and former Foreign Minister of Mexico, Jorge G. Castañeda at the Wilson Center to discuss his latest book "Mañana Forever?: Mexico and the Mexicans".

Date & Time

Friday
May. 20, 2011
9:00am – 11:00am ET

Overview

The Mexico Institute was glad to host renowned author and former Foreign Minister of Mexico, Jorge G. Castañeda at the Woodrow Wilson Center for the launch and discussion os his latest book "Mañana Forever?: Mexico and the Mexicans".

Why are Mexicans so successful in individual sports, but deficient in team play? Why do Mexicans dislike living in skyscrapers? Why do Mexicans love to see themselves as victims, but also love victims? And why, though the Mexican people traditionally avoid conflict, is there so much violence in a country where many leaders have died by assassination?

In this shrewd and fascinating book, the renowned scholar and former foreign minister Jorge Castañeda sheds much light on the puzzling paradoxes of his native country. Here’s a nation of 110 million that has an ambivalent and complicated relationship with the United States yet is host to more American expatriates than any country in the world. Its people tend to resent foreigners yet have made the nation a hugely popular tourist destination. Mexican individualism and individual ties to the land reflect a desire to conserve the past and slow the route to uncertain modernity.

Castañeda examines the future possibilities for Mexico as it becomes more diverse in its regional identities, socially more homogenous, its character and culture the instruments of change rather than sources of stagnation, its political system more open and democratic. Mañana Forever? is a compelling portrait of a nation at a crossroads.

Tagged

Speaker

Jorge Castaneda

Jorge G. Castañeda

Author; Professor, New York University; and Former Foreign Minister of Mexico
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Hosted By

Mexico Institute

The Mexico Institute seeks to improve understanding, communication, and cooperation between Mexico and the United States by promoting original research, encouraging public discussion, and proposing policy options for enhancing the bilateral relationship. A binational Advisory Board, chaired by Luis Téllez and Earl Anthony Wayne, oversees the work of the Mexico Institute.   Read more

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