Thoroughly grounded in Mexican history and based on extensive field research, this acclaimed introduction examines the roots of Mexico's contemporary political culture and its democratic transformation. Now in its sixth edition, Politics in Mexico: Democratic Consolidation or Decline? has been revised and updated in order to address three major changes that have occurred since 2006: the broad effort of Mexico to consolidate its democracy, President Calderon's aggressive, proactive strategy against drug cartels, and the effects of the 2008 global recession. Author Roderic Ai Camp provides an analysis of numerous aspects of Mexican political and economic development, highlighting controversial issues related to electoral democracy, drug-related violence, poverty, human rights, and the country's economic and political relationship with the U.S. Engagingly written by one of the top scholars in the field, Politics in Mexico, Sixth Edition, is essential reading for students of Mexican or Latin American politics, comparative politics, and Mexican history. NEW TO THIS EDITION * Adopts as a central theme the failures and successes in Mexico's effort to consolidate its democracy since 2000 * Examines the influence of the 2006, 2009, and 2012 elections on democracy * Incorporates new findings from 200 studies by national and international scholars * Offers fascinating insights, from survey research, of changing Mexican attitudes toward democracy and social justice * Explores how the 2008 recession has hindered Mexico's ability to reduce poverty * Expands coverage of social movements * Increases comparisons with the U.S. and Canada * Provides an in-depth look at drug-related violence