Tournament: GFCA State | Round: 1 | Opponent: All | Judge: All
1AC — Plan
The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement with Mexico to facilitate improved efficiency and reduced congestion at ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border.
1AC — Economic Competitiveness Advantage
Contention One: Economic Competitiveness
First, U.S.-Mexico trade is vital to the economy — it sustains millions of high-quality jobs.
Figueroa et al. 11 — Alejandro Figueroa, Policy and Research Analyst at the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, holds an M.B.A. from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies from Arizona State University, et al., with Erik Lee, Associate Director at the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, former assistant director at the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the University of California-San Diego, holds an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of California-San Diego, Rick Van Schoik, Director of the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, former Navy Seal, former managing director of the Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy, conducted post-graduate studies in philanthropy at Harvard Graduate School of Education and in sustainable development at Tufts University, holds a B.A. in oceanography and engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, 2011 (“Realizing the Full Value of Crossborder Trade with Mexico,” Report of The North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, Available Online at http://21stcenturyborder.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/realizing-the-value-of-crossborder-trade-with-mexico2.pdf, Accessed 05-21-2013, p. 3)
The United States urgently needs a sustained national conversation regarding how to realize greater value
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the truly unique quality of this trade or “joint production” relationship.
Second, status quo shortfalls in border infrastructure hamper trade — inefficiency and congestion.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce 11 — United States Chamber of Commerce, 2011 (“Steps to a 21st Century
U.S.-Mexico Border: A U.S. Chamber of Commerce Border Report,” Available Online at http://www.uschamber.com/sites/default/files/reports/2011_us_mexico_report.pdf, Accessed 05-21-2013, p. 18)
Rapid population growth along the border puts increased pressure on infrastructure at a time when
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inef?cient infrastructure produce uncertainty, unreliability, and high costs for international shippers.
Third, improving border infrastructure facilitates expanded trade — boosting jobs and economic growth.
Figueroa et al. 11 — Alejandro Figueroa, Policy and Research Analyst at the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, holds an M.B.A. from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies from Arizona State University, et al., with Erik Lee, Associate Director at the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, former assistant director at the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the University of California-San Diego, holds an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of California-San Diego, Rick Van Schoik, Director of the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, former Navy Seal, former managing director of the Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy, conducted post-graduate studies in philanthropy at Harvard Graduate School of Education and in sustainable development at Tufts University, holds a B.A. in oceanography and engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, 2011 (“Realizing the Full Value of Crossborder Trade with Mexico,” Report of The North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, Available Online at http://21stcenturyborder.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/realizing-the-value-of-crossborder-trade-with-mexico2.pdf, Accessed 05-21-2013, p. 3)
U.S.-Mexico Border Management: Building the Infrastructure for Future Competitiveness Sharing
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jobs, imagine what could be accomplished with a truly 21st century border.
Fourth, this is vital to the U.S. economy and global competitiveness — trade with Mexico is key.
Wilson 12 — Christopher E. Wilson, Associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, previously served as a Mexico Analyst for the U.S. Military and as a researcher at American University’s Center for North American Studies, holds an M.A. in International Affairs from American University, 2012 (“U.S. Competitiveness: The Mexican Connection,” Issues in Science and Technology, Volume 28, Issue 4, Summer, Available Online at http://www.issues.org/28.4/p_wilson.html, Accessed 05-14-2013)
A “giant sucking sound” was the memorable description made by presidential candidate Ross
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increase regional competitiveness vis-à-vis the rest of the world.
Fifth, the impact is large: economic growth is crucial to address all global challenges.
Silk 93 — Leonard Silk, Distinguished Professor of Economics at Pace University, Senior Research Fellow at the Ralph Bunche Institute on the United Nations at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, and former Economics Columnist with the New York Times, 1993 (“Dangers of Slow Growth,” Foreign Affairs, Available Online to Subscribing Institutions via Lexis-Nexis)
Like the Great Depression, the current economic slump has fanned the firs of nationalist
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, a healthier environment, and more liberal and open economies and societies.
Finally, competitiveness is vital to prevent great power conflict.
Baru 9 — Sanjaya Baru, Visiting Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Institute of South Asian Studies (Singapore), 2009 (“Year of the power shift?,” Seminar, #593, January, Available Online at http://www.india-seminar.com/2009/593/593_sanjaya_baru.htm, Accessed 05-21-2013)
There is no doubt that economics alone will not determine the balance of global power
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economic growth and military power – the classic ‘guns vs butter’ dilemma.
1AC — U.S.-Mexico Relations Advantage
Contention Two: U.S.-Mexico Relations
First, bilateral border investments are crucial to improve U.S.-Mexico relations.
Baker Institute 9 — The James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University—a nonpartisan public policy think tank, 2009 (“Developing the U.S.-Mexico Border Region for a Prosperous and Secure Relationship,” Baker Institute Policy Report, Number 38, April, Available Online at http://www.bakerinstitute.org/publications/LAI-pub-BorderSecPREnglish-041509.pdf, Accessed 07-26-2013, p. 1)
The relationship between the United States and Mexico has historically been a strong one,
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that are more likely to hinder, rather than promote, common goals.
Second, improved U.S.-Mexico relations are crucial to increase U.S. influence in Latin America — an economic focus is key to build closer political ties.
Reyes 13 — Raul A. Reyes, Columnist and Attorney, Member of the Board of Contributors of USA Today, holds degrees from Harvard University and Columbia School of Law, 2013 (“President Obama has the chance to improve US/Mexico relations,” NBC Latino, April 29th, Available Online at http://nbclatino.com/2013/04/29/opinion-president-obama-has-the-chance-to-improve-usmexico-relations/, Accessed 08-11-2013)
The U.S. and Mexico are as tightly bound as siblings, and
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foreign policy with Mexico based on its potential, not on its problems.
Third, strong U.S.-Latin American relations are vital to address a wide range of impacts including economic growth, climate change, proliferation, democracy, and human rights.
Bachelet et al. 12 — Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, head of UN Women, and Carla A. Hills, Co-chair of the Council on Foreign Relations, Chair of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, served as United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Ford and as a U.S. Trade Representative under President Bush, co-chairs of the Sol M. Linowitz Forum of the Inter-American Dialogue—a non-partisan, 100-member group of politicians, academics, business leaders, and others from the United States and Latin America, et al., 2012 (“Remaking the Relationship: The United States and Latin America,” Report of the Sol M. Linowitz Forum of the Inter-American Dialogue, April, Available Online at http://www.thedialogue.org/PublicationFiles/IAD2012PolicyReportFINAL.pdf, Accessed 05-20-2013, p. 3-4)
There are compelling reasons for the United States and Latin America to pursue more robust
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—both from the United States and from Latin America and the Caribbean.
Fourth, U.S.-Mexico relations are independently vital to the success of global democracy promotion — Mexico is the crucial test case.
O’Neil 13 — Shannon K. O’Neil, Senior Fellow for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, holds a B.A. from Yale University, an M.A. in International Relations from Yale University, and a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University, 2013 (“Mexico at the Crossroad,” Two Nations Indivisible: Mexico, the United States, and the Road Ahead, Published by Oxford University Press, ISBN 0199898332, p. Kindle 7-11)
Working with Mexico—for the good of both countries—will require not just
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broadening middle class. It also encouraged (albeit unintentionally) Mexico’s democratization.
Finally, effective democracy promotion is crucial to global stability — it solves the root cause of major impacts.
Miller 12 — Paul D. Miller, Assistant Professor in the Department of Regional and Analytical Studies at the College of International Security Affairs at the National Defense University, serves as an Officer in the U.S. Army Reserve and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2002, served as Director for Afghanistan on the National Security Council from 2007 to 2009, served as a political analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency specializing in South Asia, holds a Masters in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a Ph.D. in International Relations from Georgetown University, 2012 (“American Grand Strategy and the Democratic Peace,” Survival: Global Politics and Strategy, Volume 54, Issue 2, Available Online to Subscribing Institutions via Taylor and Francis Online)
A grand strategy that includes promoting the democratic peace has much to recommend it.
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longer-term efforts to address the underlying challenges to stability and democracy.
1AC — Solvency
Contention Three: Solvency
First, engagement with Mexico is needed to improve efficiency and reduce congestion at the border — the plan facilitates trade while boosting security.
Lee and Wilson 12 — Erik Lee, Associate Director at the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, former assistant director at the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the University of California-San Diego, holds an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of California-San Diego, and Christopher E. Wilson, Associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, previously served as a Mexico Analyst for the U.S. Military and as a researcher at American University’s Center for North American Studies, holds an M.A. in International Affairs from American University, 2012 (“The State of Trade, Competitiveness and Economic Wellbeing in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region,” Working Paper of the Border Research Partnership—comprised of Arizona State University’s North American Center for Transborder Studies, the Colegio de la Frontera Norte, and the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute, June, Available Online at http://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/State_of_Border_Trade_Economy_0.pdf, Accessed 05-14-2013, p. 2-3)
Commerce between the United States and Mexico is one of the great—yet underappreciated
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officials more time to focus on unknown and potentially dangerous individuals and shipments.
Second, increasing efficiency and reducing congestion will maximize the benefits of U.S.-Mexico trade — the plan is needed.
Wilson 12 — Christopher E. Wilson, Associate at the Mexico Institute of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, previously served as a Mexico Analyst for the U.S. Military and as a researcher at American University’s Center for North American Studies, holds an M.A. in International Affairs from American University, 2012 (“U.S. Competitiveness: The Mexican Connection,” Issues in Science and Technology, Volume 28, Issue 4, Summer, Available Online at http://www.issues.org/28.4/p_wilson.html, Accessed 05-14-2013)
The groundwork is already laid, and several recent trends are in North America’s favor
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to develop policies that could lead to a real resurgence of the region.
Finally, a coordinated, bilateral effort led by the U.S. federal government is needed now — congestion will only get worse.
Figueroa et al. 11 — Alejandro Figueroa, Policy and Research Analyst at the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, holds an M.B.A. from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies from Arizona State University, et al., with Erik Lee, Associate Director at the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, former assistant director at the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the University of California-San Diego, holds an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of California-San Diego, Rick Van Schoik, Director of the North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, former Navy Seal, former managing director of the Southwest Consortium for Environmental Research and Policy, conducted post-graduate studies in philanthropy at Harvard Graduate School of Education and in sustainable development at Tufts University, holds a B.A. in oceanography and engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy, 2011 (“Realizing the Full Value of Crossborder Trade with Mexico,” Report of The North American Center for Transborder Studies at Arizona State University, Available Online at http://21stcenturyborder.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/realizing-the-value-of-crossborder-trade-with-mexico2.pdf, Accessed 05-21-2013, p. 13)
U.S.-Mexico Border Management: Building World Class Infrastructure for Competitiveness The
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average wait time will be nearly 100 minutes —an increase of 60.