The discussion presented in this book examines the present realities of the Mexican nation in the age of free trade. In Part I, opportunities and risks for corporate America are analyzed, not only within an economic context, but also within a cultural and historical one, as well. Presented in Part II are the processes that have shaped Mexico over the centuries - Spanish rule, Native American civilizations, the trauma of conquest - which have given rise to the Mexican persona and character.

With this understanding as background, the American reader gains a strategic advantage in understanding how the Mexican psyche works and which buttons to push. Finally, Part III presents a practical approach to conducting business in Mexico, which ranges from the legal requirements of opening a subsidiary, to a warning about the prevalence of corruption in Mexican society and the incidence of racism in Mexican culture.