Civic binationality and the right to the city in Mexico City's paradiplomacy

Abstract

As part of the study of “new diplomacies”, this paper examines the paradiplomacy of cities. It argues that city paradiplomacy distinguishes itself by avoiding being a mere imitation of state diplomacy. Taking a qualitative approach, the case of Mexico City is analysed based on the following research question: to what extent does Mexico City's paradiplomacy incorporate civic binationality into its actions? The argument made is that, in contemporary North America, because of their transnational nature, binational migrants are necessary agents for Mexico City's paradiplomacy. The empirical basis of the analysis is migrant policy and activism in Mexico City and Chicago.

Keywords

• mexico city
• city paradiplomacy
• civic binationality
• right to the city