Mexico's Uneven Development

Mexico and the United States may be neighbors, but their economies offer stark contrasts. In Mexico's Uneven Development: The Geographical and Historical Context of Inequality, Oscar J. Martínez explores Mexico's history to explain why Mexico remains less developed than the United States. Weaving in stories from his own experiences growing up along the U.S.-Mexico border, Martínez shows how the foundational factors of external relations, the natural environment, the structures of production and governance, natural resources, and population dynamics have all played roles in shaping the Mexican economy. This interesting and thought-provoking study clearly and convincingly explains the issues that affect Mexico's underdevelopment. It will prove invaluable to anyone studying Mexico's past or interested in its future.

Oscar J. Martínez is a Regents' Professor of History at the University of Arizona. His previous books include Troublesome Border and Mexican-Origin People in the United States: A Topical History.

Prologue Introduction PART I. THE MEXICO-UNITED STATES DIVIDE 1. Divergent Pathways 2. Affluence and Poverty PART II. CONTEXT: NATURE AND PEOPLE 3. The Power of Geography 4. Landforms, Transportation, and Cities 5. Mexico's Fabled "Riches 6. People and the Economic Pie PART III. CONTEXT: EXTERNAL RELATIONS 7. So Far, So Close 8. Chasing Capital 9. Legal and Illegal Trade 10. Drugs, Liquor, Tobacco, and Migrants Conclusion: Lessons Learned Bibliography