Globalization Has Determined a Wide

Globalization has determined a wide increase in the numbers of international organizations that provide aid, assistance, and cooperation frameworks around the world. Among the many organizations of this type, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has become an important player on the international scene given its nature of advisory body. Mexico is among the countries that benefited from the policy advice provided by the OECD and continues to receive support in terms of improving economic and social well being.

Following the 2008-9 recession that affected states around the world Mexico was severely hit largely due to its dependency on exports and at the same time on the commercial ties with the United States. More precisely, it is considered that "80% of exports go to the U.S." (Schwellnus, 2011, p6) therefore, regardless of the efforts conducted that far by Mexico, the recession clearly affected the country especially from the point-of-view of dependency on the foreign market, be it through exports or direct trade ties with the United States.

Given the fact that during the 2008-9 crisis the economy of Mexico proved relatively sensitive to the economic downturn in the neighboring country the United States, it can be said that further action needs to be taken in order to ensure a greater sustainability of the Mexican economy (Schwellnus, 2011). However, measures need to be taken at the political, economic, and social levels at the same time.

One of the most important aspects in the well being of a society is the political environment. Despite the fact that there have been series of political unrest in Mexico, one of the main strategies to maintain political stability is the trust of the citizens in the political class. However, according to OECD statistics, "In Mexico, only 38% of people say they trust their political institutions, much lower than the OECD average of 56% and the lowest rate in the OECD area."(OECD, n.d.) This comes to point out the fact that there is clear mistrust in the political representatives. Therefore, at the political level there is clear need for a political strategy that would ensure a greater trust in the state authorities. Moreover, the mistrust in the state structures is also reflected in the low performance in terms of enforcement of the rule of law. Therefore, a need for more transparency and an increased degree of enforcement of present laws is essential for building citizen confidence.

Unlike other countries of the OECD the younger generation in Mexico is more and more interested to play an active role in the society by exercising the right to vote. In this sense, according to OECD statistics, the younger generation is more engaged in actively influencing the political structure through elections. Although this is a good momentum, it should be built upon for structuring a stronger civil society.

In terms of economic strategies to be followed, it is essential that Mexico becomes less dependent on the exports conducted via the United States and ensure a wider foreign market for its products. A positive aspect is related to the more specialized goods being produced. However, new exports markets should be sought in order to reduce the dependency on the United States.

From a social point-of-view, it is important to focus on issues such as education and social equality as they are essential not only for current generations but also for the ones to come. In this sense, OECD reports state "Mexico's education outcomes can be improved by enhancing the effectiveness of its schools. The standards gap between the performance of students in Mexico and other OECD countries can only be reduced if schools become good at what they do" (OECD, n.d.). Teachers that are more prepared and students that have a higher degree of interest can forge a more sustainable education environment. At the moment, according to statistics, "Only 11% of Mexicans aged between 20 and 29 participate in education, only 2 percentage points higher than in 2000, and around half as many as their counterparts in Chile (23%), Brazil (21%), and on average in OECD countries (26%)" (OECD, 2011) This unsatisfactory rate translates into low skilled labor force, which in turn affects unemployment, goods produced, and eventually exports and the economy as a whole.

Mexico has clearly benefited from its participation in the OEDC because it has been provided with necessary guidance in terms of reforms at political, economic, or social level. Working groups have been created with particular focus on the Mexican state and the country has benefit from decades of development experience from experts, policy makers that have previously dealt with development issues in what are now developed countries such as the U.S. Or Germany.