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

Mexico City's public markets played a crucial role in the country's economic development, providing households with everyday necessities and generating revenue for local authorities. Vendors in these markets had a significant influence beyond their stalls, shaping the public sphere and broadening the scope of popular politics. Ingrid Bleynat's book explores the dynamics and limits of capitalist development in Mexico, based on a close reading of archives and an analysis of vendors' intersecting economic and political lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2021
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Mexico City's public markets played a pivotal role in the country's economic development, contributing to the expansion of capitalism from the mid-nineteenth to mid-twentieth centuries. These markets, which were publicly owned and operated, provided households with essential goods and generated revenue for local authorities. At the same time, they were deeply embedded in a broader network of economic and social relations, giving market vendors influence far beyond the operation of their stalls. As these vendors catered to the capital's population, they fought to safeguard their livelihoods, shaping the public sphere and expanding the reach of popular politics.

Ingrid Bleynat's book, "Vendors, Capitalism, and the State in Mexico City," 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. The book explores the dynamics and limits of capitalist development in Mexico by closely examining the archives and the intersecting economic and political lives of vendors. Through a rich analysis of these interactions, Bleynat sheds light on the complex ways in which market vendors shaped the political and social landscape of Mexico City.

One of the key themes of the book is the multiple conflicts that arose between vendors, customers, suppliers, government officials, and politicians. These conflicts tested the institutional capacity of the state and revealed the complex web of economic and political relationships that shaped the city. For example, vendors often faced competition from informal markets and street vendors, which threatened their livelihoods and led to protests and strikes. At the same time, they were also heavily regulated by the state, which imposed taxes, fees, and other regulations on their operations.

Another important aspect of the book is the role of market vendors in shaping the public sphere and expanding the scope of popular politics. Vendors played a crucial role in mobilizing communities and organizing protests and strikes. They also served as a voice for marginalized groups, advocating for their rights and interests. Through their interactions with customers and suppliers, vendors gained a deep understanding of the economic and social challenges facing their communities and used this knowledge to advocate for change.

In addition to their economic and political roles, market vendors also played a cultural and social function. They were often the center of community life, providing a place for people to gather, socialize, and exchange goods and services. They also served as a source of entertainment, with music, dance, and other performances taking place in the markets.

Overall, "Vendors, Capitalism, and the State in Mexico City" is a valuable contribution to the study of economic development, political economy, and social history. By exploring the complex relationships between market vendors, capitalism, and the state, Bleynat provides a nuanced understanding of the dynamics of capitalist development in Mexico and its impact on the lives of market vendors and their communities.

Weight: 414g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503628298