The policy brief “Ideological Divide and the Mexico-United States. Binational Policy Agenda” explores the intricate relationship between these two countries, emphasizing how political polarization impacts cooperation in key areas such as trade, security, and migration. Drawing on a survey of public policy students from universities across both nations, the report highlights significant differences in collaboration perceptions based on partisan leanings. While Democrats and moderates in the United States tend to favor collaborative policies, such as the legalization of migrants, Republicans adopt a more critical and negative stance. In Mexico, the divide is evident between supporters of MORENA, who push for a nationalist foreign policy, and their opponents, who are more inclined towards collaboration with the United States. The study suggests that renewing cooperation agreements requires focusing on areas of common ground and working to depolarize the relationship through inclusive communication strategies.

Judy Ley Allen Mexico Centered Podcast (Episode 76).

Is polarization isolating us?

Sharing 2,000 miles of border, the United States and Mexico have strong interests in common, but the growing levels of polarization might threaten their bilateral agenda.

Evidence demonstrates that severe polarization is harmful for democracy as it engenders intolerance, discrimination, erosion of social trust, and increased violence.

The study investigates the level of polarization among future policy elites in Mexico and the United States and how this hinders policy cooperation.

One pager Binational Policy Elites Survey