Mexico’s Struggle for Public Security

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvii

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2. Introduction: Mexico’s Struggle against Organized Crime

   • George Philip

   Pages 1-12

3. Mexico’s Fight for Security: Actions and Achievements

   • Alejandro Poiré

   Pages 13-28

4. Organized Crime and Violence in Mexico, 2007–2010

   • Eduardo Guerrero

   Pages 29-46

5. “Ya saben quién”: Journalism, Crime, and Impunity in Mexico Today

   • Pablo Piccato

   Pages 47-70

6. Civil-Military Relations and the Militarization of Public Security in Mexico, 1989–2010: Challenges to Democracy

   • Jesús A. López-González

   Pages 71-97

7. Framing the Fight: Public Security and Human Rights in Mexico

   • Todd Landman

   Pages 99-118

8. Building Institutional Capacity in Mexico’s Criminal Justice System

   • Matthew C. Ingram, David A. Shirk

   Pages 119-145

9. Challenges and Qualities: Government, Public Security, and Justice Information in Mexico

   • Mario Palma

   Pages 147-161

10. Conclusions

    • Susana Berruecos, Diana Rodríguez

    Pages 163-175

11. Back Matter

    Pages 177-204

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The Mexican government's full-frontal attack on the powerful drugs cartels has achieved mixed results. This book considers the issue from a variety of viewpoints. The essential argument is that the organized crime is best combated by institutional reforms directed at strengthening the rule of law rather than by a heavy reliance on armed force.

• crime
• criminal justice
• democracy
• drugs
• Government
• human rights
• Institution
• reforms
• violence

"Mexico's Struggle for Public Security: Organized Crime and State Responses - a new examination of Mexican organized crime - stands above the many publications already issued on this subject . . . This publication is an insightful and multidisciplinary analysis of Mexico's public security issues, which provokes thoughtful reflection on a complex reality. . . and offers feasible paths to progress that emphasize a shared responsibility in confronting the complex problem of organized crime." - Journal of International Affairs

"Editors George Philip and Susana Berruecos have overseen a volume with a remarkably diverse range of commentary on the current state of the Mexican government's increasingly military driven conflict with drug trafficking organizations (DTOs)." - Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books

"This book provides a balanced view of the current situation in Mexico. The editors and authors did an exceptional job and the readers will not be disappointed. Far from the fuss, this book takes a broad look at a pressing topic in Mexico's agenda: public and national security. It goes beyond mechanistic explanations to explore social attitudes, political decisions, and institutional weakness, as well as their consequences in reshaping the new context. No one seeking to understand the Mexican challenge can afford to ignore this inspiring and insightful book." - Leonardo Curzio, CISAN UNAM

George Philip is a professor of Latin American Politics at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

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