Since the 16th century, Mexico has in many ways been held captive by outsiders. In the modern era, outsiders have most often made their presence felt through control of the Mexican economy, helping in the establishment of a ruling elite while millions of ordinary citizens face abject poverty. With the announcement of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Mexico's leadership predicted a new wave of economic progress in the country. However, the recent devaluation of the peso has shown that the Mexican economy is as perilous as ever. This work first examines the sociopolitical history of the country, and how the events of the past continue to influence the government's policies. Mexico's future is then explored, with particular emphasis placed on how economic policy will evolve in a period of free trade.