nsion of NAFTA will positively affect the US' labor force. Through the creation of a free trade arena with Mexico and Canada, the US labor force has benefited more than it has been hurt. The high skill worker has profited greatly, while the low skilled worker has somewhat struggled. Today, export related jobs pay on average 15 percent higher wages. While, those without the necessary skills to compete in the global market may find themselves with even lower wages or possibly job displacement. For the prospect of further market integration, it is important that the US increases investment in its labor force. This requires increased funding for quality education and training programs. Although it is true that approximately 117,000 Americans have lost their jobs due to NAFTA, this is not a large number in comparison to the 1.5 million Americans who lose their jobs each year from factory closures and corporate restructuring, and the 2.8 million new jobs created each year in the US (When Neighbors Embrace). It is estimated that the US economy now creates in one month the total number of jobs lost due to NAFTA in three years (Democratic Leadership Council). From this it may be concluded that market integration has produced more jobs than lost, and that further integration may expect to produce similar results.Enlargement of NAFTA will stimulate democratic advancements in Latin America and the Caribbean, an area where 19 of 20 nations have recently established the institutions of democracy. NAFTA has already assisted Mexico in its first transition of political power. The Mexican democracy took a large step in redistributing power among the three leading political parties. After 60 years of control, the PRI, no longer controls a majority in the Mexican Congress. This change reveals that the economic reforms made by NAFTA have been accompanied by a process of significant political reform in Mexico (Democratic Leadership Council). A wi...
