Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book utilizes research showing that in core nations there are differences between urban and rural areas, among cities, and within cities that are in many respects similar to those in Mexico - here defined by our cluster analysis as a semi-periphery country. It recognizes evidence from other researchers illustrating that the relationships the authors are showing for Mexico also exist in so-called core countries, such as the United States. The book illustrates that Mexico is a semi-periphery country, with respect to the nations of the world. It explains a evident that Mexico can be viewed as a "core" nation in respect to other Latin American nations. The book examines Mexico's relationship to core, semi-periphery, and periphery countries via its domestic and multinational corporations. It shows that nation-state factors delineate level of development and then analyzes the authors network relations.