Government-Business Relations and Regional Development in Post-Reform Mexico

This book explores the political economy of subnational development in Mexico. Like much of Latin America, Mexico underwent market reforms and democratization in the late 20th century. In addition to transforming national institutions, these changes led to sharp political and economic divergence among Mexican states. The author offers a novel explanation for these uneven results, showing how relations between local governments and organized business gave rise to distinct subnational institutions for managing the economy. The argument is developed through a paired comparison of two states in central Mexico, Puebla, and Querétaro. This work will be of interest to students of Latin American and Mexican politics, regional development, and government-business relations.
Theodore Kahn is Visiting Scholar in the Latin American Studies Program at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, USA.