The Mexican business class and the processes of globalization : trends and counter-trends

• Main Author: Salas-Porras, Alejandra
• Published: London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London) 1996
• Subjects: 338.972
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.393334

This thesis discusses the globalising processes undergone by a segment of the Mexican business class, notably: the spaces of the world economy they control; their links to social and political networks of global scope, as well as to global movements and currents of thought; and the interests, strategies, projects and perceptions which they share with their counterparts around the world. It argues that they have become one of the main and most powerful forces for the integration of the country in the global capitalist system. Globalising processes lived and promoted by the Mexican business class are contradictory in several respects: on one hand, modernisation, institutionalisation and depersonalisation of corporate structures and of the system of business representation is hindered by business clientelism and corruption in party funding. On the other hand, increasing opportunities of expansion, globalisation and modernisation for Mexican corporations do not always correspond with prospects for growth and development for the national economy. The formation of a global business class in Mexico is conceived as a process in which big businessmen reconstitute their identity, projects and aspirations in a process of collective reflexivity whereby they discuss, negotiate and share experiences with business communities around the world.