Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents a vision of a common pattern of distorted development that assumes unique forms in different parts of economic and social life. It provides readers with helpful questions that they might bring to the study of other Mexican problems. The book stresses the importance of examining the internationalization on a global scale and in reference to Mexican agriculture. It focuses on the dismal heritage of “stabilizing development” and more development programs to suggest that a revival of small-scale food production in Mexico’s central plateau offers the most viable basis for resuscitating the Mexican economy as a whole and for reinjecting vigor into Mexico’s extraordinary society. The book traces the process by which producers can extract an extra measure of profit from the system at the very moments when the country is in most need.