Interpreting NAFTA [Paperback]

Frederick W. Mayer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1998 | ISBN-10: 0231109814 | ISBN-13: 978-0231109819

Drawing on a wide range of documents and interviews with officials in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, as well the author's experience as an aide to Senator Bill Bradley during negotiations, Interpreting NAFTA is a history of the agreement's development, from opening talks to final passage. Frederick W. Mayer combines recent work in international relations, comparative politics, interest groups, and public opinion to develop a broad theoretical framework that crosses between international relations and domestic politics. Mayer demonstrates that to understand NAFTA, one must view it as simultaneously a matter of political interests, institutions, and ideas.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An excellent example of using theory to illuminate a particular event.

(H-Net Reviews )

Mayer has produced an excellent political economy treatise on the conceptualization and launch of the North American Free Trade Agreement -- probably the definitive treatment of the subject available today.

(I. Walter, New York University Choice )

Mayer's Interpreting NAFTA: The Science and Art of Political Analysis quickly became a classic in the field.... Mayer's conceptual framework creatively shows how rational choice, institutional process, and symbolic analysis are each incomplete yet complementary. His combination of crisp, accessible prose and an eclectic conceptual approach works well.

(Jonathan Fox Latin American Research Review )

Review

Interpreting NAFTA is superb. It is original, highly creative, clearly structured, supported by sound scholarship, and fascinating.

(John S. Odell, Associate professor of public policy studies and political science at Duke University. )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 374 pages
• Publisher: Columbia University Press (October 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0231109814
• ISBN-13: 978-0231109819
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #589,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Theoretical Framework, December 7, 2001

By 

"npeimbert" (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Interpreting NAFTA (Paperback)

This is excellent material if you are conducting any kind of serious research on NAFTA and its negotiations' development and outcome. It provides with a huge theoretical framework, every step of the process. If your line of work is game theory, this book will really help you (or at least it worked wonders for me). This is mandatory reference material for anyone interested in studying NAFTA.

3 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book on a Dry Topic, January 12, 2002

By 

"bobbald" (Baltimore, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Interpreting NAFTA (Paperback)

A great presentation of what I expected to be an unexciting topic. Examines the workings of the political system in a highly readable way. I was not only well-informed after I read the book, but entertained as well!