Vendors' Capitalism: A Political Economy of Public Markets in Mexico City

Mexico City's public markets were essential for the country's economic development, providing households with necessities and generating revenue for local authorities. They were embedded in a wider network of economic and social relations, giving market vendors influence beyond their stalls. Vendors fought to protect their livelihoods, shaping the public sphere and broadening the scope of popular politics. Ingrid Bleynat explores the dynamics and limits of capitalist development in Mexico through a close reading of the archives and analysis of vendors' intersecting economic and political lives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2021
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Mexico City's public markets played a crucial role in the country's economic development, contributing to the expansion of capitalism from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. These publicly owned and operated markets supplied households with essential goods and generated revenue for local authorities. However, they were also embedded in a broader network of economic and social relations that gave market vendors significant influence beyond the running of their stalls. As they provided food to the capital's population, vendors fought to protect their livelihoods, shaping the public sphere and broadening the scope of popular politics.

In her book, "Vendors, Capitalism, and the State in Mexico City," Ingrid Bleynat argues for the centrality of Mexico City's public markets to the political economy of the city from the restoration of the Republic in 1867 to the heyday of the Mexican miracle and the PRI in the 1960s. Through a close reading of the archives and an analysis of vendors' intersecting economic and political lives, Bleynat explores the dynamics, as well as the limits, of capitalist development in Mexico.

One of the key themes of Bleynat's book is the role of vendors in shaping the public sphere. Vendors were not just passive participants in the market but actively engaged in the political and social life of the city. They used their stalls to express their opinions, advocate for their interests, and challenge the authority of the state. This activism was not limited to the market but extended to other areas of the city, such as the streets and plazas.

However, Bleynat also highlights the limits of capitalist development in Mexico. She argues that the market's expansion and the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few have led to social inequality and poverty. Vendors, who were often marginalized and exploited, were unable to benefit from the economic growth of the city. This led to a series of protests and social movements, including the Zapatista uprising in 1994 and the Occupy movement in 2011.

Bleynat's book is based on extensive research and interviews with vendors, government officials, and other stakeholders in the market. She uses a variety of methods, including ethnography, historical analysis, and political economy. Her analysis reveals the complex and multifaceted nature of the market, and the ways in which it has shaped the political and social landscape of Mexico City.

One of the key findings of Bleynat's book is that the market's expansion has led to the commodification of the city's public spaces. Vendors have been forced to compete with other businesses for space, and this has led to the displacement of many low-income residents. This has had a negative impact on the quality of life in the city, and has contributed to the growth of slums and informal settlements.

Bleynat also argues that the market's expansion has led to the erosion of the state's regulatory capacity. The state has been unable to effectively regulate the market, and this has led to the exploitation of workers and the violation of consumer rights. This has been particularly evident in the food industry, where vendors have been forced to use cheap and unsafe ingredients to meet the demands of consumers.

In response to these challenges, Bleynat proposes a series of reforms to address the social and economic inequality in Mexico City. She suggests that the state should increase its investment in public infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, and transportation. She also suggests that the state should implement policies to protect workers' rights and to promote consumer rights.

Bleynat's book has received widespread acclaim, and has been translated into several languages. It has been used by policymakers, activists, and scholars to understand the complex and multifaceted nature of the market in Mexico City. However, it has also been criticized for its focus on the negative aspects of the market, and for its failure to offer a comprehensive solution to the problem of social inequality.

In conclusion, Mexico City's public markets played a crucial role in the country's economic development, contributing to the expansion of capitalism from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. However, they were also embedded in a broader network of economic and social relations that gave market vendors significant influence beyond the running of their stalls. Through a close reading of the archives and an analysis of vendors' intersecting economic and political lives, Ingrid Bleynat explores the dynamics, as well as the limits, of capitalist development in Mexico. Her book is a valuable resource for policymakers, activists, and scholars, and has helped to shape the debate about the future of the market in Mexico City.

Weight: 556g
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503614604