This book presents the necessary facts to explain the phenomenon of drug cartels and social violence in Mexico-and to understand why the deeply ingrained drug trade cannot easily be eliminated using only a policy of military force.


* Examines the deeper socio-economic links and the political-criminal cooperation that explains the complex roots of the Mexican drug cartel problem rather than focusing on simplistic identification of criminal motivation and individual crime lords

* Documents how the ongoing emphasis on criminal personalities and policies that focus on eliminating key crime bosses has resulted in a failed drug war

* Serves as a highly useful resource for political scientists, sociologists, journalists, and NGO representatives focused on Latin America as well as for anyone working along the American Mexican border or dealing with issues of trade, migration, and security