Cultural Argument

Description:
Section Head
Video recording of the talk delivered by Matthew A. Lieber, Candidate for Ph.D. in Political Science at Brown University, to the faculty and students of Sistema Harvard Educacional A.C. at the Mexico City Campus. This first delivery corresponds to the introduction of the speaker. It will be followed by thirteen two to three minute sequels.

Summary
In this talk, Mr. Lieber discusses two recent controversies generated by Mexican immigration. The first question stems from the double exclusion of Mexican migrants-- whether, and in what country, Mexican citizens residing in the U.S. ought to vote. The second question addressed is whether the U.S. should establish English as an official language. He first analyzes the demographic context of the Mexican-origin population in the U.S. and then presents two alternative perspectives for understanding both questions. One view emphasizes the power of national identity, while the other focuses on economic integration and a plural conception of culture. He considers the struggle of Mexican migrants to gain and exercise the right to vote from abroad, as well as the split between U.S. states and the federal government on English as an official language. Reflecting upon national pride and common-sense solutions, he concludes with an argument for recognizing various national identities, supporting democratization in Mexico, and keeping American English vibrant and free from official meddling.

About the speaker
Matthew Lieber is a visiting researcher at the Instituto Tecnol??gico Aut??nomo de M??xico, presently conducting research on overseas voting reform for his doctoral dissertation in political science at Brown University. He holds a B.A. in European history from Carleton College and an M.A. in international relations from Johns Hopkins University. Previously, he worked in the first Clinton administration, in the offices of Vice President Al Gore and Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, and later spent two years teaching in a private university in Mexico City. Embed this video
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