Oil and Revolution in Mexico explores the complex relationship between foreign capital and domestic development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, highlighting the ambivalence at the heart of modernization and the challenges of integrating modern capitalist frameworks while preserving cultural and social identity. It challenges simplistic narratives and provides a nuanced perspective on how a nation grapples with the promises and perils of modernity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 468 pages
Publication date: 27 May 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Oil and Revolution in Mexico: A Compelling Analysis of the Transformative Yet Fraught Relationship between Foreign Capital and Domestic Development during the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Oil and Revolution in Mexico offers a compelling analysis of the transformative yet fraught relationship between foreign capital and domestic development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Focusing on the role of American and British oil companies in shaping Mexico's economic, political, and social landscapes, this work uncovers the ambivalence at the heart of modernization. While foreign investments brought infrastructure, industry, and technology that modernized Mexico's economy, they also introduced deep-seated tensions by exacerbating social inequality, destabilizing political systems, and marginalizing the local labor force. Through rich historical detail, the book navigates the complexities of Mexico's struggle to integrate modern capitalist frameworks while preserving its unique cultural and social identity.

This interdisciplinary history situates Mexico's oil industry within broader global economic contexts while delving into its profound domestic consequences. From the boom of foreign entrepreneurship to the revolutionary fervor that sought to wrest control of national resources, the narrative captures the dual forces of progress and resistance. The book challenges simplistic narratives, examining the social, cultural, and political implications of foreign exploitation and economic nationalism. With chapters dedicated to labor militancy, the interplay of foreign and local politics, and the persistent influence of preindustrial values, Oil and Revolution in Mexico provides a nuanced perspective on how a nation grapples with the promises and perils of modernity.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. 

Weight: 862g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520364905