THE MAKING OF MODERN MEXICO

This extensive account of the ""permanent Mexican revolution"" initiated in 1910 is well-written and well-titled. Modern Mexico was and is still being made -- ade from a backward colonial renegade into a dynamic, stable nation, made by an ligarchical elite that rules with a heavy authoritarian hand, made in the image of social justice, freedom, economic reform, and above all, a peculiar ""Mexicanism."" None of this national achievement developed organically. Like the other ""emerging"" nations in the world today, it took doing to arrive at the present state; and it will take a great deal more, according to this author's well-researched and documented evidence, to eliminate the important remaining shortcomings and continue the progress toward Mexican goals. His evidence is historical -- pre- and post-political revolution; and economic -- industrial and commercial revolutions, population and problems, trade development. It is political -- different party factions, the ruling elite, Foreign policy; and social -- education, religion's role (primarily Catholicism and Free-masonry) and equal opportunity. It is evidence shaped into an informative chronicle that sees both the strengths and the failings in the Mexican state. The sections on the current economy are particularly good, and there is a fine bibliography. For investors as well as for students in this important Latin American arena.