Synopses & Reviews
Organized crime in Mexico has been responsible for a worrying increase in violence in that country since Felipe Calderon assumed the presidency in 2006. The country's main criminal gangs are now a real challenge to the Mexican state. Government policies aimed at combating that threat have not been very successful to date. While it is certainly possible to exaggerate the threat posed to the Mexican state by organized crime, the real problems posed are serious enough. This book considers the issue from a variety of viewpoints. The essential argument is that the organized crime is best combated by institutional reforms directed at strengthening the rule of law and winning over public opinion, rather than by a heavy reliance on armed force. Some such reforms have indeed taken place in Mexico and are discussed in the book.
Review
"Mexico's Struggle for Public Security: Organized Crime and State Responses - a new examination of Mexican organized crime - stands above the many publications already issued on this subject . . . This publication is an insightful and multidisciplinary analysis of Mexico's public security issues, which provokes thoughtful reflection on a complex reality. . . and offers feasible paths to progress that emphasize a shared responsibility in confronting the complex problem of organized crime." - Journal of International Affairs
"Editors George Philip and Susana Berruecos have overseen a volume with a remarkably diverse range of commentary on the current state of the Mexican government's increasingly military driven conflict with drug trafficking organizations (DTOs)." - Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books
"This book provides a balanced view of the current situation in Mexico. The editors and authors did an exceptional job and the readers will not be disappointed. Far from the fuss, this book takes a broad look at a pressing topic in Mexico's agenda: public and national security. It goes beyond mechanistic explanations to explore social attitudes, political decisions, and institutional weakness, as well as their consequences in reshaping the new context. No one seeking to understand the Mexican challenge can afford to ignore this inspiring and insightful book." - Leonardo Curzio, CISAN UNAM
Synopsis
The Mexican government's full-frontal attack on the powerful drugs cartels has achieved mixed results. This book considers the issue from a variety of viewpoints. The essential argument is that the organized crime is best combated by institutional reforms directed at strengthening the rule of law rather than by a heavy reliance on armed force.
About the Author
GEORGE PHILIP is a professor of Comparative and Latin American Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, a position he has held since 2001. He is the author of several books, including, The Presidency in Mexican Politics (Macmillan 1992) and Democracy in Latin America (Polity 2003).
SUSANA BERRUECOS is a visiting fellow at the London School of Economics. She holds a doctorate in Government and an MSc in Public Administration and Public Policy from the LSE, as well as a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). In the academic arena, she has been a lecturer in Mexico and London, as well as a visiting fellow at Georgetown University. She has published on democratization and electoral institutions, and was advisor at the Presidency from 1994 to 1996 and at the Federal Electoral Institute (IFE) from 2003 to 2010.
Table of Contents
Foreword - George Philip and Susana BerruecosIntroduction - George PhilipMexico's Fight for Security: Actions and Achievements - Alejandro PoiréOrganized Crime and Violence in Mexico (2007-10) - Eduardo Guerrero'Ya saben quién': Journalism, Crime and Impunity in México Today - Pablo PiccatoCivil-Military Relations and the Militarization of Public Security in Mexico (1989-2010): Challenges to Democracy - Jesús A. López GonzálezFraming the Fight: Public Security and Human Rights in Mexico - Todd LandmanBuilding Institutional Capacity in Mexico's Criminal Justice System - Matthew C. Ingram and David A. Shirk Challenges and Qualities: Government, Public Security, and Justice Information in Mexico - Mario PalmaConclusion - Susana Berruercos and Diana Rodríguez