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.

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

Inhalt
Foreword; G.Philip  & S.Berruecos Introduction; G.Philip Mexico's Fight for Security: Actions and Achievements; A.Poiré Organized Crime and Violence in Mexico (200710); E.Guerrero 'Ya saben quién': Journalism, Crime and Impunity in México Today; P.Piccato Civil-Military Relations and the Militarization of Public Security in Mexico (19892010): Challenges to Democracy; J.A.López-González Framing the Fight: Public Security and Human Rights in Mexico; T.Landman Building Institutional Capacity in Mexico's Criminal Justice System; M.C.Ingram  & D.A.Shirk Challenges and Qualities: Government, Public Security, and Justice Information in Mexico; M.Palma Conclusion; S.Berruercos  & D.Rodríguez