Double Political Polarization: Effects on Public Problem Mitigation and Participation on the Mexico-United States Border

This panel will analyze how double political polarization marked by internal ideological divisions within each country and tensions between Mexico and the United States, hinders the mitigation of public problems in the border region. Partisan polarization and ideological fragmentation interfere the formulation and implementation of policies and complicate multi-actor cooperation, creating significant challenges for the stakeholders involved.
The discussion will explore the dynamics that obstruct the creation of effective political agreements, particularly in a context where the political discourses of both countries are driven by electoral priorities and radicalized positions. This polarization directly affects the management of key issues in the region, such as addressing the needs of migrant populations and combatting human smuggling and trafficking. These problems are exacerbated by the lack of coordination among local, federal, and binational authorities, leaving space for illicit actors to operate with impunity in socially and geographically complex areas.
The panel will also examine the impact of polarized political communication, both in government rhetoric and media narratives, which shape negative public perceptions of the "other" and deepen distrust between public and private actors. This fragmentation of discourse further erodes institutional coordination, weakening the capacity for joint responses to cross-border challenges. It also limits the participation of non-governmental actors, thereby undermining efforts to democratize governance processes.