The State and Security in Mexico: Transformation and Crisis in Regional Perspective

Brian J. Bow, Arturo Santa Cruz

Routledge, 2013 - Political Science - 212 pages

At the turn of the millennium, Mexico seemed to have finally found its path to political and economic modernization; a state which had been deeply embedded in society was being pulled out, with new political leaders allowing market forces to play a greater role in guiding the nation's economic development, and allowing old patron-client networks to crumble. At the same time, many hoped that political and legal reforms would increase the state's capacity to provide prosperity, security, and equity for its citizens. In the midst of this historic transformation, however, Mexico was confronted with an urgent new policy challenge.

Internationally recognized experts from the academic and think-tank communities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada consider the origins of the current crisis in Mexico, and the nature and effectiveness of the Calderón government's response. Simply not another book on North American regional security, this volume uses Joel Migdal's concept of "the state in society" to provide a refreshingly clear and accessible exploration of political change in the developing world. The engagement with the US and Canada gives the reader a chance to observe the dynamics of persuasion across the developmental divide. Four key questions structure the study:

• What does the ongoing security crisis in Mexico tell us about the changing role of the state in society there?
• What does the changing role of the state tell us about the nature (and intractability) of the crisis?
• How has the transition to democracy affected the links between the state and organized crime in Mexico, and the state's capacity to contain non-state challengers?
• What kinds of political and legal reforms are called for, and what effects can we expect them to have on the extent and intensity of violence in Mexico?

No other study comprehensively uncovers new conceptual and theoretical insights in each of these areas whilst offering some practical guidance for policy-makers and publics seeking to understand these urgent and complex challenges.

Contents

• Crisis and Transformation in Regional Perspective: 1
• 2 The Geopolitics of Insecurity in MexicoUnited States Relations: 25
• 3 Militarization in Mexico and Its Implications: 42
• 4 Security and Human Rights in the Framework of Mexicos War on Drugs: 61
• 5 Beyond Mérida? The Evolution of the US Response to Mexicos Security Crisis: 77
• 6 Security Implications of Drug Legalization in the US and Mexico: 99
• 7 A New Drug Warrior? Canadas Security Policy toward Mexico Central America and the Caribbean: 120
• 8 Canadas North America Strategy: 142
• 9 Why North American Regional Security Cooperation Will Not Work: 160
• Toward a North American Security Imaginary?: 173
• Multiple Challenges Multiple Regions Multiple Perspectives: 192
• Editors and Contributors: 203
• Index: 207

Bibliographic information

• Title: The State and Security in Mexico: Transformation and Crisis in Regional Perspective; Online access with subscription: Proquest Ebook Central; Volume 7 of Routledge studies in North American politics
• Editors: Brian J. Bow, Arturo Santa Cruz
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Routledge, 2013
• ISBN: 041551830X, 9780415518307
• Length: 212 pages
• Subjects: Political Science / General; Political Science / International Relations / Diplomacy; Political Science / International Relations / General; Political Science / Peace; Political Science / World / Caribbean & Latin American; Social Science / General; Social Science / Regional Studies; Social Science / Research; Social Science / Sociology / General; Technology & Engineering / Military Science