Mexico's private sector continues to confront challenges imposed not only by reforms in the country's economic and political systems, but also by demands of the international economic community for transparent and fair business dealings. In this book, scholars and business leaders examine the responses to these challenges, weighing the goals of economic reform against its results, assessing the effect of economic modernization on sectors of the Mexican economy, and evaluating the political, economic, and social prospects for further reforms.

Microeconometric analysis of Mexican industry shows additional investment in public infrastructure produces only a small increase in output. This suggests that the policy emphasis in Mexico should be on the better upkeep of existing infrastructure to ensure the continuity of public services rather than on new capital investment.

In the four years since the first edition was published, Mexico's political system—exceptional among Latin American nations—has been severely tested. The administration has been struggling to cope with the effects of a depressed market for oil, the demands of an increasingly vocal opposition, and the foreign policy challenges posed by violence in Central America. In this timely second edition of a work that has received favorable attention in the United States and in Mexico, the authors extend their analysis of Mexico's current and future prospects to cover the dramatic developments of the past few years. Throughout, the authors have updated their discussion to assess the social and political impact of the latest elections, the recent earthquakes, and the continuing cycle of economic crisis, recovery, and renewed crisis. They also pay special attention to Mexico's initiatives for peace in Central America and to recent shifts in Mexican-U.S. relations. Appropriate for courses in Mexican studies, Latin American politics, and Third World development, this text also will be of value to anyone interested in Mexico's political and economic affairs.

This is the first book to fully review the Mexican health system, its organization and governance, health financing, health care provision, health reforms, and health system performance. The book is based on the most recent data and focuses on the three main components that constitute Mexico’s health system: 1) employment-based social insurance programs, 2) public assistance services for the uninsured, and 3) a private sector composed of service providers, insurers, and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers and distributors.