President Barack Obama should meet Professor Zedillo, former President of Mexico and Director of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization, because Zedillo might provide valuable advice on how to approach the current economic crisis in the United States. Former President Zedillo, after being elected into office in 1994, inherited a country plagued by economic recession and political instability only comparable to Revolutionary times. Six years after he took office, the country had economically recovered and taken the final steps towards full democratization. Although both crises are different, the experience of Professor Zedillo, a Yale-trained economist and graduate of Mexican politics, might prove useful to a young and challenged Obama administration.
Meetings between American and Mexican Presidents are as ubiquitous as “taco trucks” in Jackson Heights, Queens. The issues addressed during these meetings range from the improvement of relations by means of a courtesy visit to a ranch, to the negotiation of billions in dollars in aid to Mexico. Addressing these issues is important almost by definition, and this brings political benefits to the leaders involved (most of the time). However, it is difficult to believe that, in such meetings, Presidents actually exchange political advice.
A meeting between Zedillo and Obama would be a remarkable event, not only because this does not happen often, but also because Zedillo might actually offer insight on how to approach the economic crisis. Zedillo can offer advice as an economist, and here is an article published by him in Forbes that proves it. However, economics is not Zedillo’s comparative advantage. Zedillo’s experience as a survivor of economic and political crises is his comparative advantage and a source of advice on how to navigate rough seas. This does not mean that Zedillo is the greatest captain in Mexican history (and indeed some people preferred to jump to high seas rather than staying on board), but is a captain that brought the country to shore after a violent storm.
