Networks of exchange among Mexicans in the U.S. and Mexico: local level mediating responses to national and international transformations

Abstract

This work focuses upon the local level processes and mechanisms by which Mexicans in Mexico and the United States, in working class and in economically marginalized sectors, create the so- cial platforms through which their political interests may be defended, economic cooperation may be developed, households become clus- tered in dense exchange relations, and a cultural basis emerges for the development of human personality. These social platforms mediate the uncertainty and indeterminacy of the effects of economic disparity, po- litical inequality, and differential institutional access but do not resolve them. This work focuses upon the analysis and description of local level networks and mechanisms of exchange that are created by Mexicans1 in Mexico and the United States, and which serve a variety of important functions. In working class and in economically marginalized sectors, these exchange networks form the basis of the social platforms2 from which subsequent generations are socialized and emerge. As well, these networks of exchange offer some protection against economic disloca- tion and political uncertainty that arise with great national and regional technological transformations.3 These networks counter the lack of po- litical influence at the local level by helping to mobilize political action groups. In addition, these networks serve to mediate the uncertainty and indeterminacy specific to social disadvantage4 as well as that generic to social life in general.5 Last, these networks form the nexus of relations which tie different households in dense clusters of exchange and in- 27