ABSTRACT
After becoming a national state in 1821 the economic development of Mexico was deeply influenced by two external political forces: first, the British Empire and then, the USA. However, by the end of the nineteenth century, Mexico's dominant external influence was the USA. Although Mexico was originally part of the periphery of the capitalist system because of the particularity of its economic development, by the end of the twentieth century, after a long period of difficult growth, it had clearly enhanced its location and role in the world order. Nevertheless, Mexico remained dependent on the USA as its hegemonic centre.
