Synopsis
Six articles, presented by Rubio (president, CIDAC—Center of Research for Development, Mexico) and Purcell (vice president of the Americas Society and the Council for the Americas, US), collectively examine the social, political, and economic realities of Mexico under the presidency of Vincente Fox. After Rubio's consideration of the implications of Fox's historic upset of the formerly dominant Partido Revolucionario Institucionale on democratic politics in general, essays examine Fox's economic agenda, efforts to fight poverty, foreign policy, and U.S.-Mexican relations (this latter is discussed from both Mexican and U.S. perspectives in two separate articles). Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Library Journal
Following the format of their successful Mexico Under Zedillo, Rubio (president, Ctr. for Research and Development, Mexico City) and Purcell (Americas Society and Council of the Americas) offer an in-depth analysis of Mexican president Fox at the midpoint of his six-year term. Fox's initial relationship with President Bush was soured by the events of 9/11 and Mexico's opposition, as a member of the UN Security Council, to the war in Iraq. Economic and social ties between the two nations have been strained, creating a diplomatic divide over immigration, future economic cooperation, and the war on drugs. Not surprisingly, Fox's ratings improved domestically when Mexico voted against the United States in the UN. Yet Fox has little power, and the promise of a new democracy faded rapidly under a system Rubio describes as gridlock. These six insightful essays (five by Mexican scholars) provide fresh views of Mexico's government under Fox, including the political roadblocks presented by the still strong Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Of special interest is Juan Pardinas's powerful essay on Mexican poverty and its impact. Recommended for academic libraries.-Boyd Childress, Auburn Univ. Libs. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.