Governance and Development Asymmetries in Valle Bajo, USA and Valle de Juárez, Mexico

Abstract

The objective of this research is to comparatively analyze governance and development between the border areas of Valle Bajo in the US and Valle de Juárez in Mexico, between 2000 and 2020. A descriptive analysis is carried out with information and statistical data from INEGI and Census Bureau with the dimensions of development, that is, economics and sociocultural. Using information from government actors at the three levels of government, it was found that the asymmetries of governance and development between Valle de Juárez and Valle Bajo are due to the distinctive performance of political actors, intervention of institutions in the social and economic dimensions, where the economic vision of the area is mainly agricultural, although the policies are not the same on both sides of the border. It is concluded that the Mexican government has stopped encouraging agriculture in the Valley due to industrial economic visions, adding the corruption of political leaders and violence related to drug trafficking, contributes to low development. On the other hand, the Lower Valley in the US shows better levels where there are more intervening institutions, and there is an incentive from both the federal and state governments to support agriculture