This book provides an explanation of some of the root causes of civil upheaval and violent political conflict in Mexico by examining the cases of Oaxaca and Nuevo Leon in the period from 2000 to 2006. Oaxaca and Nuevo Leon represent 'two Mexicos': the rich Mexico and the poor Mexico. The author assesses two main groups of explanatory factors--socioeconomic and institutional--and examines some of the mechanisms through which these variables operate and interact with other factors (e.g., resources, opportunities, and government actions) to generate massive political turmoil. Evidence presented here shows that institutional factors are the primary sources of major political conflict in Mexico. Socioeconomic factors are significant but not predominant.

This book explains some of the ways in which deteriorated socioeconomic conditions (inequality in particular) and institutional limitations (corruption, electoral exclusion, and a weak rule of law, among others) affect political stability in extremely unequal developing countries, like Mexico, where democracy is not yet fully consolidated.