Mexico matters. It is one of the most important emerging market economies in the world and arguably the most important country in the everyday lives of Americans. Yet what do we really know about it?

By revealing the unwritten rules of behavior that drive Mexico's politics, economy, and foreign policy, leading political scientist Pamela Starr explores the competing forces shaping Mexican modernity. Tracing the origins of these behavioral forces in history, she shows how they characterize Mexico's foreign relations and security challenges as well as explain the strengths and weaknesses of its institutions. Amidst growing pressure for reform and tumultuous U.S.-Mexico relations, Starr gets to the heart of the forces influencing decision-making in Mexico's current regime, known as the Fourth Transformation. Starr's fresh and concise analysis of Mexico – its historic trajectory and contemporary political landscape – unpacks why this modern market economy behaves as it does.

The Making of Mexico offers an incisive introduction to Mexico for students of Mexican history, politics, and political economy, as well as U.S.-Mexico relations and Latin American politics.