Strengthening Endogenous Regional Development in Western Mexico

Much has been written on the negative effects of globalization in the Mexican countryside, showing the multi-dimensionality of the problems generated, noting not only the economic effects, but also the socio-cultural and ecological repercussions, which have to do with various issues related to rural life and production, such as the quality of rural producers’ life, identity and traditional practices, or sustainable natural resource management (Cortez et al., 1994; Schwentesius et al., 2003; Esteva & Marelle, 2003). Additionally, reference is also made to the trans-national nature of the problem, emphasizing the involvement of processes that go beyond the regional and national territory (Halweil, 2000; Schwentesius et al., 2003). Table 1 presents an overview of (some of) these negative effects, as identified from bibliography.